Ontario Power Generation
In April 1999, the Progressive Conservative government of Premier Mike Harris executed a plan to privatize Ontario Hydro. This action created five successor corporations, one of which became Ontario Power Generation. OPG assumed ownership of all generating stations from its predecessor. The company operates as a Crown corporation and government business enterprise. It is wholly owned by the government of Ontario. Sources of electricity include nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, gas and biomass. Although Ontario has an open electricity market, the provincial government regulates prices. The goal was to stabilize prices for consumers.
OPG directly operates Pickering Nuclear Generation Station in Pickering, Ontario. Darlington Nuclear Generating Station sits on the shores of Lake Ontario in Courtice, Ontario. The company also owns two plants at Bruce Nuclear Generating Station on Lake Huron. These are operated by Bruce Power under a long-term lease. OPG manages three facilities for interim waste management. In 2005, the company initiated the regulatory approval process for a deep geologic repository. A federal joint review panel issued an Environmental Assessment Report on the 6th of May 2015. The panel recommended approval of the project. However, the Federal Minister delayed a decision in February 2016. The committee requested further information from OPG before proceeding with permanent storage plans.
By 2014, OPG had stopped burning coal to generate electricity. Nanticoke Generating Station sat on Lake Erie in Haldimand County, Ontario. It housed a massive 3,900 MW of generation capacity. This site produced the most pollution in one location despite being reasonably clean per megawatt. Atikokan Generating Station converted to burning steam-treated wood pellets or biomass in 2012. Thunder Bay Generating Station used advanced biomass starting in 2014. In March 2016, partners SunEdison Canadian Construction LP and Six Nations Development Corporation developed the Nanticoke Solar Facility. This 44 megawatt solar farm sits on and near the former coal plant site. OPG states its power is now more than 99 percent free of smog and greenhouse gas emissions.
The financial situation at Ontario Power Generation improved significantly since 2003. Profits for 2005 reached $366 million. Its credit rating was upgraded that same year. Liberal Energy Minister Dwight Duncan described this turnaround as one of the untold stories of the last two years. In July 2006, the company won awards for performance as a good corporate citizen. OPG was named to the Corporate Knights Top 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada for four consecutive years. The company purchased 9 million shares of Hydro One in April 2016. Wendy Kei serves as chair of the board of directors. She was appointed chairman on the 27th of June 2019. Nicolle Butcher became president and chief executive officer on the 19th of December 2024. Ken Hartwick resigned from his position earlier that month.
Prior to shutting down coal stations, OPG attracted considerable controversy. Nanticoke Generating Station ranked among Canada's largest individual air pollution sources. The Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty promised to phase out coal generation by 2007. This goal was not met until 2014 due to operational reasons. Significant criticism also arose regarding slow returns to operation after the Northeast blackout of 2003. All but one reactor tripped and poisoned out during the event. Another source of criticism involved the expensive refit to Unit 4 at Pickering A Nuclear Station. In late 2003, the incoming Liberal government fired three senior executives. They cited a report showing the retrofit came in significantly over budget and three years behind schedule. Former federal Finance Minister John Manley chaired an independent review committee to examine the future role of OPG.
On the 10th of June 2019, officials announced plans for a new corporate campus in Clarington, Ontario. This site would house OPG headquarters. On the 13th of February 2023, OPG completed a deal to purchase the former head office building for General Motors of Canada. The address is 1908 Colonel Sam Drive in Oshawa, Ontario. Plans called for opening in 2024 with full occupancy expected by end of 2025. Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster issued a statement saying he was deeply disappointed. Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter welcomed the news as thrilled to welcome OPG to Oshawa. The decision to retrofit the empty building was made for economic and sustainability reasons. Original plans had called for constructing a new building at the existing Darlington Energy Complex.
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Common questions
When was Ontario Power Generation created by the government of Ontario?
Ontario Power Generation was created in April 1999 when the Progressive Conservative government executed a plan to privatize Ontario Hydro. The company assumed ownership of all generating stations from its predecessor and operates as a Crown corporation wholly owned by the government of Ontario.
Where are the nuclear power plants operated by Ontario Power Generation located?
The Pickering Nuclear Generation Station is located in Pickering, Ontario, while the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station sits on the shores of Lake Ontario in Courtice, Ontario. OPG also owns two plants at Bruce Nuclear Generating Station on Lake Huron which are operated by Bruce Power under a long-term lease.
What year did Ontario Power Generation stop burning coal to generate electricity?
By 2014, Ontario Power Generation had stopped burning coal to generate electricity after the Nanticoke Generating Station closed. The Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty promised to phase out coal generation by 2007 but this goal was not met until 2014 due to operational reasons.
Who became president and chief executive officer of Ontario Power Generation in December 2024?
Nicolle Butcher became president and chief executive officer of Ontario Power Generation on the 19th of December 2024 following Ken Hartwick resignation. Wendy Kei serves as chair of the board of directors since her appointment on the 27th of June 2019.
When did Ontario Power Generation complete its purchase of the former General Motors head office building?
Ontario Power Generation completed a deal to purchase the former head office building for General Motors of Canada on the 13th of February 2023. The address is 1908 Colonel Sam Drive in Oshawa, Ontario with full occupancy expected by end of 2025.