NANTICOKE—Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Chief Claire Sault were on hand to greet Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce last week for an announcement regarding Nanticoke’s Ontario Power Generation (OPG) site.
Haldimand is one of three counties that house OPG sites being looked at by the government for potential use in creating new energy sources to meet Ontario’s rising demand for electricity.
Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is forecasting a 75% increase in demand by the year 2050 according to a press release from Lecce’s office, which equates to adding “four and a half cities the size of Toronto to the grid.”
Any of the three sites (Nanticoke, Port Hope, and St. Clair) could be used to house an additional 16,000 megawatts of energy to meet that demand, as all three are already zoned for electricity generation, have proximity to transmission, and are based in southern Ontario where the need is projected to be highest.
“Our government is leading the largest expansion of electricity generation in more than 30 years,” said Lecce in the release. “To meet soaring energy demands, we’re working with communities to plan ahead and build for our future so that we can generate more power that is reliable and affordable for our families today and tomorrow.”
The Province is planning to engage with the community, including Indigenous leaders, who would be equity partners in any potential project.
The announcement also notes $50 million in funding for the host communities to “support community infrastructure investments and attraction of co-located industry.”
“Our government is embracing an important opportunity for economic reconciliation among First Nations communities and workers,” added Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “By working together with Ontario Power Generation, we are ensuring that First Nations communities are not just part of the conversation, but active participants in shaping a prosperous, sustainable energy future.”
The release lists nuclear power as one option that could be considered for the sites, but beyond that, no real insight on what might be placed in Nanticoke has yet been revealed.
According to an ‘FAQ’ on opg.ca, while nuclear power provides over half of Ontario’s daily power, and will “continue to be the backbone,” it “may not be suitable for all sites so we’re also looking at different forms of generation as well.”
Bentley posted to her social media account following the meeting, sharing, “Energy demands are soaring and Ontario will need new energy generation to bridge the gap; pleased to be part of the solution with Minister Stephen Lecce, OPG, and our neighbouring Indigenous communities.”
Haldimand County representative Kyra Hayes confirmed that the mayor was invited to attend the announcement “just prior” to it taking place, which was “the first that Haldimand County was made aware of this provincial initiative.”
She continued, “Municipal leaders and staff are prepared to participate in any upcoming discussions with the Province, to better understand the activities proposed and the County’s role in any related decision making. The announcement is news to the County and as such, have no details to share at this time. Staff will keep Council and the community apprised of updates as we become aware.”
Spokesperson for Lecce, Joseph Colella, said that “all kinds” of energy generation were on the table for discussion in Haldimand.
“These early conversations will ensure that any decision reflects local priorities … unlike the Liberals, who forced costly projects onto unwilling communities without consultation,” said Colella.
He noted that public engagement will be an “important part” of the process: “Right now, we’re at the early stages of a longer process to determine community interest for new generation facilities.”
Haldimand Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady said she had sat down with Lecce to discuss the potential use of the site.
“I don’t think he even knows completely yet. I think they’re doing just the initial feeling out of the community, feeling out what should go where,” said Brady. “In the past week or so we’ve had a few firmer conversations. He is very committed, or says he is, to working with the community and making sure the community is treated fairly.”
Brady noted that she brought up Empire Communities’ potentially imminent Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) request in Nanticoke with Lecce, and whether building an expanded energy facility was a compatible use alongside it.
“He understood what I was implying and said these are things they need to hammer out,” concluded Brady.
