McGuinty Government Takes Next Steps in Elimination of Coal-Fired Generation

Ontario is moving forward with the conversion of the Atikokan Generating Station from coal to biomass, creating 200 construction jobs and helping to protect existing jobs at the plant.

The conversion is the first of its kind in the province. The project will create new economic opportunities for Ontario’s forestry sector, which will provide the biomass fuel to the plant. Demand for biomass pellets from the plant is expected to create or support about 200 jobs. The converted plant will be able to deliver more than 200 megawatts of clean, renewable power, and will take the province a step closer to eliminating coal-fired electricity generation by the end of 2014.

Building a clean energy system and a culture of conservation is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to create and support jobs for Ontario families while ensuring we have the electricity we need to power our homes, schools, hospitals and the economy.

• The conversion of the plant will begin later this year and is expected to be complete in 2014.
• Over its life, biomass from wood pellets emits about 90 per cent less greenhouse gases and less smog-causing pollutants than coal.
• Eliminating coal-fired electricity in Ontario is the single largest greenhouse gas reduction measure in North America.
• Since 2003, Ontario has brought more than 10,000 megawatts of new and refurbished clean energy online – enough to power both Ottawa and Toronto.

• Converting Atikokan Generating Station to Biomass

Source: Ontario Government