About the Project
New Project Notices and Updates
Project Update
Project Upgrade Notice of Completion
Project Upgrade Environmental Review Report
To help meet the provinces growing need for reliable and efficient electricity, the St. Clair Energy Centre is proposing modernization upgrades and an expansion of the facility. The upgrades and expansion would add up to an additional 180 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation capacity and be completed as two separate projects.
Project 1 - Upgrade of St. Clair Energy Centre
Upgrading the facility involves increasing plant capacity through process improvements and equipment upgrades. This will require no physical expansion of the plant footprint and will add approximately 70 MWs of generating capacity.
Project 2 - Expansion of St. Clair Energy Centre
Expansion of the facility involves the addition of a new gas turbine(s), or reciprocating engines, to achieve approximately 100-120 MWs of additional generating capacity. This would require the expansion of the plant footprint and other upgrades to infrastructure.
As part of the technology upgrade procurement process, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) selected the Saint Claire Upgrade (Project 1) to expand its electrical generation capabilities for Ontario.
To help advance the project upgrade towards commercial operations, Invenergy is progressing with the release of an Environmental review report (ERR) for the Project 1 upgrade only, with a separate ERR to be developed to Project 2 (expansion) in late 2023. For more information on project updates click here.
Environmental Approvals
Ontario Regulation 116/01 (Electricity Projects Regulation) requires that an Environmental Review Report (ERR) be prepared for proposed upgrades and expansions of existing energy facilities.
St. Clair Energy Centre began this permitting and approval process in 2022 and will conduct archaeological studies, as well as public and Indigenous engagement activities that will be incorporated into the project ERR.
The ERR will also identify applicable authorizations, notifications, permits or approvals, environmental effects of the project, and mitigation measures to be implemented. The St. Clair Energy Centre is planning to submit permits to agencies and anticipate approval of the Project in late 2023 or early 2024.
The ERR for Project 1 (Upgrade) has been completed and submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). The document is prepared in accordance with the requirements set out in O.reg 116/01 (Electricity Projects Regulation), and incorporates comments and feedback received through public and indigenous engagement. The ERR also provides assessment of potential effects and proposed mitigation measures for the construction and operation of the facility. Applicable Environmental Compliance Approvals for air, noise, industrial sewage and water will be submitted to the MECP shortly for review and approval. (See link to Project ERR document).
A Notice of Completion has been submitted to MECP and signals the completion of ERR for Project 1 (Upgrade) (see link to Project Notice of Completion). The ERR is available for review and the Notice of Completion provides the details relating to the ERR review period, contact details and locations for in-person review.
The overall environmental assessment process and opportunities for consultation and engagement activities are outlined in the EA Process and Consultation Flow Chart.
