MEAFORD — The Ontario government is advancing pre-development work for the proposed Ontario Pumped Storage Project, developed in partnership by TC Energy (TCE) and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. The project, which would be the largest of its kind in Canada, would provide up to 1,000 megawatts of clean, affordable, and reliable electricity storage – enough to power one million homes for up to 11 hours.
“With electricity demand set to increase by 75 per cent by 2050, our government is advancing an all-of-the-above approach to energy affordability and energy security,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “The Ontario Pumped Storage Project has the potential to store and deliver clean, affordable energy for decades, representing Canada’s largest clean energy storage project. This project can only proceed following this work and the successful approval of Bruce’s expansion plans, as this storage is a critical part our larger energy build out. I look forward to working with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, local municipal leaders and TC Energy to explore the next step to meet soaring electricity demand.”
The facility – in the Municipality of Meaford – would function by pumping water from Georgian Bay up to a reservoir during periods of low electricity demand and releasing the water back into Georgian Bay to generate electricity during periods of high demand. By harnessing water and gravity, this project would act as a natural battery, storing clean electricity to ensure it’s available when Ontario needs it most.