Business: Natural Gas

Portlands Energy Centre upgrades

Portlands Energy Centre upgrades

Atura Power is planning to make efficiency upgrades at our Portlands Energy Centre (PEC). PEC has been generating reliable and affordable electricity for the City of Toronto and province of Ontario at 470 Unwin Ave., Toronto, since 2009. It’s capable of outputting 550 megawatts (MW) to Ontario’s electricity grid.

Project overview

portlands upgrade map image
Portlands Energy Centre upgrade map

Upgrading the equipment at PEC will increase its generating capacity by 50 MW to an output of 600 MW. The efficiency upgrades will be limited to replacing parts of the existing natural gas fired combustion turbines. All upgrade activities will take place within the existing facility and there will be no changes or expansion beyond the existing PEC footprint.

What's being upgraded?

The efficiency upgrades will include replacing parts of the existing natural gas fired combustion turbines with parts that will allow increased electrical output. The work is similar to regular facility maintenance activities and will be confined to the existing facility footprint. There will be no changes or expansion beyond the existing PEC footprint.

Environmental screening process and project timeline

Since the project will result in a 50 MW increase in the electrical output of PEC, it is subject to the Environmental Screening Process for Electricity Projects subject to Ontario Regulation 50/24 (previously Ontario Regulation 116/01), under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. A Notice of Commencement of a Screening and Invitation to a Public Meeting was issued on September 6, 2023, to communicate the start of the Environmental Screening Process.

This timeline was updated to reflect that Atura Power released a revised Screening Report in November 2024. The revised report was announced by a Notice of Completion also released November 2024. The upgrades are anticipated to be completed as part of a scheduled maintenance period as early as spring 2025.

We want to hear from you

Atura Power is committed to engaging with Indigenous communities, the public, agencies and other interested parties on all our projects. A public meeting was held on Oct. 5, 2023, to learn about the proposed efficiency upgrades and share feedback, and materials from that meeting are posted below.

Atura Power will be hosting a second virtual public meeting once the efficiency upgrades are complete. Details regarding the second virtual public meeting will be posted here in 2025.

Access to information for everyone is important to us, so please let us know if you have accommodation needs related to the meeting materials through the Contact us form below.

Project documents

Project documents will be posted here as they became available. Please let us know if you require an alternate format for any documents posted through the Contact us form below.

Contact us

Comments and information regarding this project are being collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of meeting environmental assessment requirements. With the exception of personal information, all comments received will become part of the project record.

Napanee Generating Station expansion

Napanee Generating Station Expansion

Project overview

Atura Power, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), is planning to expand the electricity generation capacity of its Napanee Generating Station (NGS). The proposed Napanee Generating Station Expansion is located north of the Lake Ontario shoreline in the Town of Greater Napanee, Ont., between the existing NGS and Lennox Generating Station. The expansion will add a hydrogen-ready simple cycle combustion turbine generator unit that will provide up to 430 megawatts (MW) of electricity output to Ontario's electricity grid. Atura Power is also planning to construct the Napanee Battery Energy Storage System. For more information about the Napanee Battery Energy Storage System visit napaneebess.ca.

Project update: Atura Power submitted an application to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in December, 2023, as part of the Long-Term 1 Request for Proposals (LT1 RFP) procurement process. The IESO awarded the NGS Expansion an LT1 contract in May, 2024, and a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project began.

Building capacity for Ontario's electricity grid

After more than a decade of strong supply, Ontario is entering a period of emerging electricity system needs, driven by increasing demand, the refurbishment of existing generating assets, as well as expiring contracts for other electricity-producing facilities.

To prepare for future electricity demands and support a reliable grid for Ontarians, the IESO initiated the LT1 RFP to secure new electricity resources that could be in service by 2028, including energy storage facilities. An application for the Napanee Generating Station Expansion was submitted to the IESO in December, 2023. The IESO awarded the NGS Expansion an LT1 contract on May 9, 2024.

The proposed Napanee Generating Station Expansion will increase Ontario's electricity generation, support grid reliability, and help advance Ontario's path to a net-zero future. Environmental permits and approvals, including an EA, will be required to construct this potential project.

Project details

The proposed project includes adding a hydrogen-ready simple cycle combustion turbine generator unit that will provide up to 430 MW of electricity output to Ontario’s electricity grid.

Proponent legal name: Portlands Energy Centre L.P. (doing business as Atura Power)

Location: Town of Greater Napanee, Ont.

Generating technology: Simple Cycle Combustion Turbine Generator

Nameplate capacity: Up to 430 MW

Environmental Assessment Process and Project Timeline

Atura Power started an Environmental Review Process for the Napanee Generating Station Expansion. Pursuant to Ontario Regulation 50/24: Part II.3 Projects, under the Environmental Assessment Act, Atura Power voluntarily elected to undergo a “Category B” Environmental Review as described in the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks “Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects” (February 2024). An Environmental Review Report (ERR) will be made available for a 30-day public review period following the conclusion of the Environmental Review. The ERR will include a review of existing conditions, potential effects, mitigation measures and document engagement activities and input from Indigenous communities, the public and other stakeholders.

A Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Review and Invitation to a Public Meeting was issued on April 8, 2024, to communicate the start of the Environmental Review Process.

Napanee Timeline Infographic

Atura Power started the Environmental Review prior to the IESO LT1 contract award to advance permitting to meet the IESO’s need for the project to be in service by 2028.

Atura Power will obtain the necessary permits and approvals prior to construction. Indigenous and stakeholder engagement activities remain a priority and will continue throughout the project.

We want to hear from you

Atura Power is committed to engaging Indigenous communities, municipalities, and the public as well as other potentially interested stakeholders throughout this project.

We invite you to attend an upcoming public community meeting to learn more about the Napanee Generating Station Expansion project and provide feedback:

Project name:Napanee Generating Station Expansion

Date:

May 16, 2024

Time:

4 to 8 p.m.

Location:

South Fredericksburgh Hall
2478 County Rd. 8
Greater Napanee, Ont. K7R 3K7

Access to information for everyone is important to us, so please let us know if you have accommodation needs related to the meeting materials through the Contact us form below. Meeting materials will be available on this webpage following the meeting.

LT1 Public & Indigenous community engagement

Atura Power invited Indigenous communities, municipalities, the public and other interested stakeholders to community meetings to learn about the project and LT1 process. The community meetings were held in-person on Oct. 18 and virtually on Nov. 23, 2023. The Napanee Generating Station Expansion Public & Indigenous Community Engagement Plan, which describes the engagement activities that Atura Power undertook during the LT1 RFP process in accordance with IESO requirements, formed the basis for these engagement activities. Copies of the Napanee Generating Station Expansion Public & Indigenous Community Engagement Plan, Community Meeting Invitations, Presentation Deck and Meeting Minutes are available under the project resources and materials below.

Project Resources & Materials

Project documents will be posted here as they became available. Please let us know if you require an alternate format for any documents posted through the Contact us form below.

Contact us

Comments and information regarding this project are being collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of meeting environmental assessment requirements. With the exception of personal information, all comments received will become part of the project record.

Comments and information regarding this project are being collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments received will become part of the project record.

Brighton Beach Generating Station upgrade

Brighton Beach Generating Station upgrades

Atura Power is planning to make efficiency upgrades at our Brighton Beach Generating Station (BBGS – also known as Brighton Beach Power). BBGS is capable of outputting 541 megawatts (MW) to Ontario’s electricity grid and has safely and efficiently generated electricity for the City of Windsor and province since 2004 at 100 Broadway St., Windsor, Ont.

Project overview

BBGS Upgrades Map
BBGS Upgrades Map

Upgrading the equipment at BBGS will increase its generating capacity by 42.5 MW to an output capacity of 584 MW. The efficiency upgrades will be limited to replacing parts of the existing natural gas fired combustion turbines during an already scheduled maintenance period. All upgrade activities will take place within the existing facility and there will be no changes or expansion beyond the existing BBGS footprint.

Project materials released earlier in 2023 note the upgrades to BBGS will increase the facility generating contract capacity by an average of 42.5 MW (from 570 MW to 612.5 MW), based on a winter (Season 1) contract capacity. When accounting for seasonable variability, BBGS generating contract capacity will increase by an average of 42.5 MW but from an average electrical output contract capacity of 541.25 MW to a total average electrical output contract capacity of 583.75 MW.

What's being upgraded?

The efficiency upgrades will include replacing parts of the existing natural gas fired combustion turbines with more efficient parts that will allow increased electrical output. The work is similar to regular facility maintenance activities and will be confined to the existing facility footprint. There will be no changes or expansion beyond the existing BBGS footprint.

Environmental screening process and project timeline

Since the project will result in a 42.5 MW increase in the electrical output of BBGS, it is subject to the Environmental Screening Process for Electricity Projects subject to Ontario Regulation 116/01, under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. A Notice of Commencement of a Screening and Invitation to a Public Meeting was issued on July 26, 2023, to communicate the start of the Environmental Screening Process.

This timeline was updated to reflect that Atura Power will be sharing a draft Screening Report for review prior to publishing a final Screening Report. The final Screening Report will be announced by a Notice of Completion in early 2024.

We want to hear from you

Atura Power is committed to engaging with Indigenous communities, the public, agencies and other interested parties on all our projects. A public meeting was held on Aug. 17, 2023, to learn about the proposed efficiency upgrades and share feedback, and materials from that meeting are posted below.

Access to information for everyone is important to us, so please let us know if you have accommodation needs related to the meeting materials through the Contact us form below.

Project documents

Project documents will be posted here as they became available. Please let us know if you require an alternate format for any documents posted through the Contact us form below.

Contact us

Comments and information regarding this project are being collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of meeting environmental assessment requirements. With the exception of personal information, all comments received will become part of the project record.