TC Energy has reached an agreement with the Department of National Defence that will allow the for the development of a pumped storage facility at the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre in Meaford.
The company issued a release confirming the agreement is subject to conditions and regulatory approval.
According to the company statement, the 1,000-megawatt Ontario Pumped Storage Project is a multi-billion dollar private sector investment that would create about 1,000 jobs over the next eight years during development and construction.
The pumped storage plant would pay a total of approximately $8.5 million in annual income once operating to workers employed at the facility, off-site employees and direct contract workers, the company says.
“Once operating, it would provide emission-free electricity for the province, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an expected 490,000 tonnes – the equivalent of removing 150,000 cars from Ontario roads,” TC Energy claims in a statement.
The facility would involve pumping water from Georgian Bay to a higher elevation reservoir during periods of low demand for electricity, and then releasing the water back through turbines to generate electricity when power demand is higher.
Some residents in Meaford have expressed strong opposition to the TC Energy pumped storage project. A group known as Save Georgian Bay has raised concerns about the impact on the enviroment and community. Water turbidity, fish mortality, and water and air pollution during the construction phase are some of the issues the volunteer group of Meaford residents has with the facility.
Last year, Meaford council reached a resolution to highlight issues the municipality identified with the project and share them with the Department of National Defence and TC Energy, while requesting they be addressed prior to project approval under the Dominion Water Power Act.
At the same time, council also resolved to declare support for the TC Energy project proceeding to the applicable environmental assessment approvals process if the municipality received confirmation from federal regulators or the Department of National Defence the identified issues will be addressed.
Bayshore Broadcasting News is reaching out to the municipality for further comment.
TC Energy says in a statement it will continue to consult with Saugeen Ojibway Nation and other Indigenous Rightsholders, and engage with local communities and other interested stakeholders to assess potential impacts and economic benefits as the company advances the next phase of project development – including provincial and federal environmental and impact assessments.
“Advancement of the project remains subject to a number of conditions, including approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, regulatory approvals, and assurances that the project would not impact military activities and training,” a release from TC Energy explains.
*Note: This article was an updated from an earlier version to clarify the pumped storage process proposed.
