Ontario invests $600 million in Cornwall hydroelectric station

May 13, 2024
By Bob Peters

Cornwall Ontario – The RH Saunders Generating Station will provide reliable, affordable and clean energy for decades to come thanks to an investment of more than $600 million by the Government of Ontario.

Ontario is supporting Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to renovate its Cornwall facility, an infrastructure program that will provide 1,045 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity, equivalent to powering more than one million homes, helping meet demand increasing electrification and electricity supply. the growth of the province.

“The RH Saunders Generating Station – the second largest hydro facility in the province – has provided Ontario with clean electricity since 1958, and with today’s investment, we are extending the life of the station by several decades to help Ontario meet its electricity growing. needs,” said Todd Smith, Secretary of Energy. “This renovation program – part of our Powering Ontario growth plan – will create jobs and ensure we have the power we need for the next major international investment, the new homes we build and industries as they grow and electrify.”

OPG will renovate 16 units in total at the RH Saunders Generating Station. The rehabilitation will include major rehabilitation of the generating equipment through civil, electrical and mechanical improvements that will enable the station to produce more electricity from less water. Once completed, the station is expected to produce up to 160 gigawatt hours of additional clean electricity each year, equivalent to powering more than 19,000 homes.

“Since opening in 1958, the OPG RH Saunders Station has played an important role in Ontario’s history. From fueling a growing economy to managing flows on the St. Lawrence for shipping, this hydropower system has been invaluable to our province.” said Paul Seguin, Senior Vice President, Renewable Generation, OPG. “Once refurbished, it will electrify citizens’ lives for years to come.”

Work on the RH Saunders Generating Station will take place over the next 16 years, creating over 200 highly skilled and well paid jobs in Cornwall. This investment in Ontario’s hydroelectric fleet is just one part of Powering Ontario’s Growth, the government’s pragmatic plan that outlines the actions the province is taking to meet growing energy demand and reduce emissions by expanding the reliable, affordable and clean grid of Ontario.

“By revitalizing the OPG RH Saunders plant, we are not just renewing the infrastructure; we are strengthening Ontario’s energy future,” said Nolan Quinn, MLA for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “This project is a testament to our commitment to sustainable and reliable energy, ensuring that future generations benefit from the legacy of clean energy.”

The RH Saunders Generating Station first went into operation on July 5, 1958 and has since produced power reliably and safely on the St. Lawrence. As part of the larger Moses-Saunders Power Dam, a kilometer long that spans the river, the RH Saunders GS shares the structure with the Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project station, operated independently on the US side by the New York Power Authority.

“The City of Cornwall welcomes the province’s investment in the RH Saunders Generating Station,” said Mayor Justin Towndale. “This renovation project will ensure the facility can continue to provide clean energy for decades to come, while creating hundreds of skilled jobs in our community.”

Visitor Center

Located on the banks of the river St. Lawrence, Saunders Dam Visitor Center presents the history of St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project, and the communities and people affected, as well as great biodiversity stories like the American eel. With informative and interactive displays, great views of the generating station and a prime location on the Riverseide Trail, the Visitor Center is a key tourist destination in the Cornwall area.

Summary ideas

• Ontario’s grid is one of the cleanest in the world, with a diverse supply mix of nuclear, hydro, natural gas, wind, solar and bioenergy.
• The RH Saunders Generating Station has been a reliable source of clean energy for 65 years. The station currently meets about five percent of Ontario’s energy needs.
• The RH Saunders Generating Station is located on the St. Lawrence, as part of the larger Moses-Saunders Dam, shared with the United States.

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The RH Saunders Powerhouse refurbishment has been featured in the latest issue of Cornwall Living magazine, out now.

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