Ontario Power Generation is seeking the public’s opinion on the conversion of the Thunder Bay Generating Station.
Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan called for the end of coal-generating energy by the end of 2014, specifically stating the Thunder Bay Generating Station should be converted from coal-burning to natural gas.
OPG hosted a community information session Thursday evening at the Lakehead Labour Centre as part of the process of obtaining environmental compliance approval from the Ministry of Environment.
“This is one of the sessions we’re holding that provides the public an opportunity to come here, see what we’re up to and give us comments on the project,” said Chris Fralick, plant manager for Northwest Thermal.
He added the public information sessions provide them with input on the public perceives the project.
They give that information to the MOE. The ministry may then either give approval to the conversion, ask them for more details or put more stringent requirements on the plant.
Natural gas is the most viable option for the Thunder Bay station. By constructing a gas pipeline, the plant would easily be able to burn gas instead of coal.
“If you’re looking at a nuclear option, it would be a completely different plant. You could not put a nuclear unit into our existing plant,” said Fralick.
“We’re looking at the lowest cost option to keep that plant viable,” he added.
As a natural gas burning station, the plant will provide flexibility, which Fralick said is key.
If hydroelectric generation or renewable energy generation is low, the plant would act as a backup, he said.
While OPG is gathering public input, they are also proceeding with the detailed design of the project and are negotiating their power purchase agreement with the Ontario Power Authority.
“That’s for the ultimate conversion and operation of the plant,” Fralick said. “All this is in preparation to prepare our business case that we’ll take to the Ontario Power Generation board of directors for approval.”
Fralick said they hope to receive approval for the conversion late this summer.
