Ontario power producer plans to increase Toronto gas plant output, but critics worry about impact

An Ontario power producer outlined plans on Thursday to increase output at a gas plant in Toronto, but critics say the proposed upgrades aren't needed and energy should be focused on greener alternatives instead.

Atura Power, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, operates the Portlands Energy Centre (PEC), a 550-megawatt natural gas electrical generating station near Toronto's waterfront. The plant, operating since 2009, is located on Villiers Island.

On Thursday evening, the company hosted a virtual public consultation meeting about its planned upgrades. Atura Power explained its plans before answering a series of questions by members of the public.

Atura Power officials told the meeting that upgrades to the plant would result in a 50-megawatt increase in its electrical output.

"The upgrades will be limited to replacing parts of the existing natural gas-fired combustion turbines with more efficient parts during a regular maintenance cycle and will result in an increase in output capacity to 600 megawatts," the company said.

"All upgrades will take place within the existing facility and there will be no changes or expansion beyond the existing PEC footprint."

Officials said the upgrades would not increase the plant's greenhouse gas emissions.

Jack Gibbons, chair of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, a non-profit organization, told CBC Radio's Metro Morning earlier on Thursday that the upgrade would result in the province relying more on gas-generated energy at a time when it should be moving away from it.

"The Portlands gas plant is Toronto's single largest greenhouse gas polluter. It produces as much pollution as 133,000 cars," Gibbons said.

Ramping up its output is "going in absolutely the wrong direction when the planet is on fire," he added. "We've got much cleaner and and lower cost options to keep our lights on."

Concerns to expand plant's capacity

Gibbons blamed Ontario Premier Doug Ford for the reliance on gas plants, saying their output has more than doubled in the province since he came to power.

"He's refusing to to invest in wind and solar, which could allow us to phase out our gas-fired power plants. And instead he's ramping up the gas-fired power plants, producing more smog and producing more greenhouse gas pollution that that is causing dangerous climate change," he said.

"We need to be phasing out gas power and not building and not expanding gas-fired generation capacity," he added. "It doesn't make sense to ramp up gas-fired generation when we've got cleaner and lower cost alternatives."

Keith Brooks, programs director at Environmental Defence, said in an interview on Thursday that he's concerned about plans to expand the capacity of the plant and to extend its contract.

"This plant was originally scheduled to close in 2029. Now they're proposing to keep it open until 2034. That's going to mean more greenhouse gas emissions, that's going to mean more pollution," he said.

Brooks said people are planning to move into the Lower Don Lands area, including on Villiers Island, and there are concerns about local air pollution. There are plans for a net zero community there.

"This gas plant is going to be a real problem for them and everyone in Toronto who is trying to cut greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

Gas plant on list of Ontario's largest industrial emitters

The plant is on the list of the province's largest industrial emitters with 618,211 tonnes of emissions released in 2021. 

In May, Toronto city council expressed opposition to an increase in input at the plant, with councillors objecting to any increase in the burning of fossil fuels in the city, particularly at the plant.

In June, it voted to ask the federal government to step in by prohibiting an increase, effective immediately.

Gas plants needed now, province says

Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith has previously said the province needs gas plants now to help meet an expected surge in demand for electricity and to provide power while some units of the province's nuclear stations are down for refurbishment. 

While it's investing in nuclear energy, the province has signalled its reluctance to nix natural gas energy just yet, with Smith citing it as an "insurance policy" to keep the lights on.

Ontario's energy needs are quickly rising and the province is looking to rely on more natural gas to fill the looming gap between demand and supply.

In 2020, Ontario Power Generation spent $2.8 billion to buy two-and-a-half gas plants: the 900-megawatt Napanee Generating Station, the 683-megawatt Halton Hills Generating Station and the remaining 50 per cent ownership stake in the PEC.

Meanwhile, the Independent Electricity System Operator, which is responsible for operating Ontario's electricity market and directing the operation of the electrical system, has also announced more natural gas generation, the result of expansions and upgrades at existing sites.

In a report last year, it said that while natural gas generation can be replaced by storage and other emissions-free solutions over time, natural gas is needed during the transition to ensure the system is reliable and stable.