More power is needed in northwestern Ontario if the region is to meet the demands brought on by what a task force calls “unprecedented growth” in its mining sector.
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association’s (NOMA) Northwest Energy Task Force said there are currently 41 major exploration projects in the region, with 37 of those aiming to be operational by 2033.
“We wanted to identify the results of our research, which indicates that we have two areas that need new transmission facilities, and that the entire area needs additional generation, if we’re to meet the demand created by a multitude of new mines that are working their way through to operation,” said Iain Angus, co-chair of the task force. “We’re gonna need about 250 megawatts of additional generation.”
The research was revealed at a news release on Thursday morning. There, the task force showed the results of an area-by-area analysis of power needs in northwestern Ontario.
The analysis shows the area north of Nipigon, which includes mines in the Greenstone, Beardmore and the Lake Nipigon areas, and the Ring of Fire, will require another 175 megawatts to power them all.
The North Shore of Lake Superior will need a further 57 megawatts, and the Ear Falls/Red Lake area another 123 megawatts in generation.
The Thunder Bay area, meanwhile, will require another 120 megawatts of power.
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