Permitting and engagement support for Ontario power projects

Challenge

In 2022, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) identified a significant need for new power supply in the province and launched a series of competitive procurements to secure additional capacity to meet the region’s growing energy demands. Two initiatives, the Same Technology Upgrades Solicitation and the Expedited Long-Term Request for Proposal (E-LT1 RFP), were aimed at contracting projects that could be rapidly implemented.

SLR provided Capital Power with bid support, including an analysis of environmental and permitting constraints, preliminary technical studies, and implementation of a consultation program including public open houses, regulatory agency liaison, and Indigenous community engagement. Capital Power was awarded contracts for five projects:

1. Goreway Power Station (GPS) Upgrade Project - 40 megawatts (MW) of additional capacity
2. York Energy Centre (YEC) Upgrade Project – 30 MW of additional capacity
3. York Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project - 120 MW of power storage
4. Goreway BESS Project – 50 MW of power storage
5. East Windsor Generation Facility Expansion Project – 107 MW simple cycle natural gas generation facility

With five projects on expedited timelines, CPC relied on SLR’s knowledge and experience to concurrently undertake the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act processes, technical studies, engagement programs, and various permitting and approval processes on timelines that met Capital Power’s IESO-contracted commissioning dates for providing electricity to the provincial grid.

Solution

SLR worked collaboratively with Capital Power in a strategic advisory and support role as an integrated part of the project team beyond the typical scope of EA and permitting services. Our team supported the navigation of complex regulatory processes, oversaw a range of technical programs and assessments, and contributed to public, agency, and Indigenous community engagement efforts.

This collaborative approach enabled us to better support Capital Power to identify and manage overarching and project-specific risks and critical activity sequencing for successful advancement of all five projects.

High quality technical assessments and permit applications were critical to meeting the expectations of Indigenous communities, regulatory agencies, and the general public. Project success was highly dependent on SLR’s expertise in the following areas:

1. Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
2. Noise and Vibration
3. Ecology
4. Hydrogeology
5. Stormwater Management
6. Climate Change Resilience
7. Visual Renderings

Impact

SLR and Capital Power successfully completed all five EA processes and obtained all required provincial and municipal permits and approvals on schedule.

All projects are currently under construction or fully operational, with Capital Power meeting or exceeding their IESO-contracted commissioning dates for providing electricity to the provincial grid.

SLR’s work on these projects has positively impacted Capital Power’s contribution to meeting Ontario’s future power needs.