$600 million overhaul of RH Saunders Power dam in Cornwall – Morrisburg lead

CORNWALL – The provincial government announced a $600 million, 16-year overhaul and renovation project for the R. H Saunders Power Dam in Cornwall on May 10.

“This renovation program 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,” said Energy Minister Todd Smith , at the Friday morning announcement. “With today’s investment, we are extending the life of the station decades more to help Ontario meet its growing electricity needs.”

Built in the mid to late 1950s as a major component of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the dam was already scheduled to have improvements beginning in 2019. In 2002, the plant’s generating capacity was increased to 1,045 megawatts. Friday’s announcement does not increase generating capacity, but decreases the amount of water needed to generate the same amount of power.

The station, which provides enough electricity to power up to one million homes, represents up to five per cent of the province’s total generating capacity and is the second largest hydroelectric dam in Ontario.

“From fueling a growing economy to managing flows from St. Lawrence Seaway for shipping, this hydropower system has been invaluable to our province,” said Paul Seguin, senior vice president of renewable generation at Ontario Power Generation – the station’s owner. “Once refurbished, it will electrify citizens’ lives for years to come.”

The announcement did not directly involve the Iroquois Control Dam, which controls the flow of water entering Lake St. Lawrence from the St. Lawrence. The lake is the man-made electric pool created with the Seaway project to store water for the Cornwall Dam. The Iroquois Dam is already undergoing a multi-year project to refurbish the gates and associated equipment, which began in late 2022.

At any given time, up to four of Saunders’ 16 generating units are not in use. The province did not answer why the project would take 16 years and not be accelerated with the $600 million announcement. Nor has the province said whether work on the Iroquois Dam will continue at the same pace or be accelerated.

The province said in its announcement that up to 200 jobs will be created during the 16-year rehabilitation project in the area.

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