NANTICOKE — Just one year after the Nanticoke Generating Station site was demolished, a new solar facility has opened and is fully operational.
Six Nations of the Grand River has partnered with Ontario Power Generation and the Mississaugas of the Credit Fist Nation on Nanticoke Solar — a 44 megawatt solar power generating site.
“Investment opportunities, such as the Nanticoke Solar Project, are direct contributors to the Six Nations Economic Development Trust which provides critical funding used to address our Community’s needs and priorities,” said Elected Chief Ava Hill of the Six Nations of the Grand River.
“We are committed to investing in sustainable partnerships that deliver not only economic benefits but also employment & training opportunities to our beneficiary – the Six Nations Community,” said Hilary Visheau, Chair of Six Nations Grand River Development Corporation’s Advisory Committee.
“The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation hail this partnership as an important economic development,” Mississaugas Chief Stacey Laforme said. “This is a very positive development for MCFN. Gone are the days when our First Nation suffered the burdens of the development of our territory without sharing in the benefits. This project, along with others, sets the stage for future mutually-beneficial partnerships with OPG and others about developments across our territory. We look forward to working with OPG as partners in this project as it moves ahead.”
This is the fourth First Nation partnership for OPG. PCL Construction was awarded the contract in March 2018 to instal solar panels at the site near Port Dover and Lake Erie.
“We’ve partnered with the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, on this important initiative,” said OPG’s Mike Martelli, President of Renewable Generation. “Building and sustaining a clean, low cost electricity system is fundamental to a healthy environment and a strong, low-carbon economy. Nanticoke Solar is a continuation of OPG’s rich legacy of generating electricity in this community.”
The former coal burning Nanticoke Generating Station was closed in 2013. In 2014 Ontario became the first place in North America to eliminate coal for energy production.
Officials with OPG say the final demolition of the powerhouse at Nanticoke is scheduled for September 2019 with site restoration in 2020.
“Our company takes pride in all of the projects we build, and the Nanticoke Solar Facility is one of many exciting PCL-built projects in the rapidly growing sustainable energy sector,” said Andrew Moles, PCL Construction’s Director of Solar. “Through the expertise of our solar energy team, and the relationships fostered with top suppliers and consultants, we were able to construct, generate and store reliable, renewable power quickly and efficiently, while ensuring the highest standard of quality for OPG, First Nations and the local community.”
