We're in it for Meaford
Putting Meaford first
We’re committed to this region. That means hiring and buying local, boosting jobs and spending at local businesses.
Investing in Meaford
We are investing in our community, supporting local businesses, and working with local government on how to benefit Meaford now and for the long term..
We want to hear from you! Meaford is a special place. We want it to stay that way.
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Project update — April 12, 2023:
Field studies resuming this spring
We are continuing to undertake environmental fieldwork to help guide Project design.
Aquatics and terrestrial field studies are resuming in April and archaeological investigations are resuming in May. These are critical to helping us understand the environment where the Project is proposed.
The data will be used to develop the upcoming environmental and impact assessment processes.
Read the Project update
Let’s set the record straight!
Some outside claims are straight up fiction and incorrect.
Facts matter! Fact: This project is good for Ontario and great for Meaford.
We are putting Meaford first as we continue to work on a Community Benefits Agreement.
We think it is important for the community of Meaford to have facts, so they can better understand the Ontario Pumped Storage Project and the many benefits it will provide for Meaford and the local community.
Visit PoweredByMeaford.com/TheFacts to Get the Facts, Sign Up and Show Your Support.
Get the Facts: Download Ontario Pumped Storage: Just the Facts and share with others.
The Ontario Pumped Storage Project (OPSP) will cut greenhouse gas emissions while providing clean, reliable and affordable energy to power Ontario homes and businesses.
Over the coming years, Ontario’s electricity demand is expected to increase. As we transition away from natural-gas power generation we need to work now to ensure our electricity infrastructure can handle that demand. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) estimates that Ontario needs 5,000 to 15,000 megawatts (MW) of new electricity production by 2035. When operational, the OPSP will provide 1,000 MW of flexible, clean energy to Ontario's electricity system — that's enough to power a million homes for up to eight hours.
Emission-free power generation, such as nuclear, wind and hydro often generates electricity when it’s not needed and is not available when consumers want it. Using water and gravity, this project is effectively a natural battery that will store electricity for when it is needed most and will reduce carbon emissions by 490,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to taking 150,000 cars off Ontario’s roads.
It is a made-in-Ontario solution that will provide clean, reliable, secure and cost-effective electricity for the whole province.
What is pumped storage?
Pumped storage is an effective, responsible way for Ontario to meet its electricity and power system needs.
Using water and gravity, pumped storage acts like a giant battery. It stores excess electricity when demand is low and makes it available when it is high.
This made-in-Ontario project will use state-of-the-art technology to pump water from Georgian Bay to an upper reservoir when electricity demand is low, typically at night.
When electricity demand is high, typically during the day, the water flows from the upper reservoir to Georgian Bay, passing through a turbine, releasing energy back into the system to be used as electricity.