The Ontario Pumped Storage Project will cut electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions while providing clean, reliable and affordable energy to power Ontario homes and businesses.
TC Energy and the Department of National Defence reached an agreement to build the state-of-the-art facility northwest of Meaford at the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre.
Read more about the many environmental and financial benefits of one of the world’s largest climate change initiatives — built in Ontario for Ontarians.
What is pumped storage?
Pumped storage is an effective, responsible way for Ontario to meet its electricity and power system needs.
Pumped storage acts like a giant battery. It stores excess electricity when demand is low and makes it available when it is high.
The state-of-the-art technology pumps water from the bay to an upper reservoir when electricity demand is low, typically at night. Recycling and storing power helps reduce unused and wasted energy.
When electricity demand is high, typically during the day, the water flows from the upper reservoir to Georgian Bay, passing through a turbine.
Why pumped storage?
Traditional renewable energy, such as wind and solar, cannot store electricity, so excess power ends up being wasted. But a pumped storage facility serves as a natural battery, storing excess electricity and making it available to homes and businesses when demand is high.
Not only does the project's zero-emission footprint have no negative impact on the local environment, it will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario by 490,000 tonnes per year, or the equivalent of taking 150,000 cars off the roads.
How will this impact Meaford?
Most of the facility, including the powerhouse, will be built underground to eliminate noise. While Ontarians will reap economic and environmental benefits from the project, once operational, Meaford residents may not even realize it’s there.
Meaford is an ideal location because of the elevation change created by the escarpment, proximity to Georgian Bay and the feasible underground electrical connection to Ontario’s high-voltage transmission system.
And Meaford’s economy?
The Ontario Pumped Storage Project is a win-win situation for today and the future.
That’s because we are committed to investing in the local economy, including materials, jobs, businesses and vendors; in addition to improving the reliability of Ontario’s electrical system.
The project will create more than 1,000 skilled jobs during development and construction, while investments in local businesses and the community will provide a lasting local impact.
The project will also provide about 1,000 megawatts of energy — enough to power one million homes — and will save Ontario ratepayers about $250 million per year.
And the community?
TC Energy is committed to listening to and working with the community as this project develops. On May 9, 2022, Meaford Council unanimously passed Councillor Paul Vickers’ motion directing Meaford Chief Administrative Officer Rob Armstrong and municipal staff to begin discussions with TC Energy about potential community betterment opportunities.
The company will create a center where residents can ask questions and learn about the project. TCE has also invested a $1 billion to re-design parts of the project to account for community feedback.