Province Pushes Ahead to Expand Clean Energy Potential

TORONTO, ONTARIO - The Ontario government is expanding the province's clean, renewable energy capacity by making 18 sites available for waterpower development and inviting a second round of applications to develop wind power on Crown land, announced Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay.

"We are just beginning to unlock Ontario's enormous potential for clean and efficient electricity generation," said Ramsay. "The government will continue to vigorously seek and encourage development of our capacity to generate power from renewable energy sources, ensuring Ontarians have cleaner air to breathe and a healthier environment."

Last November, the government called for Expressions of Interest to identify potential waterpower sites. Fifty-seven applications were received of which 18 sites have been approved as appropriate for development. The successful proponents will now have 120 days to submit their development proposals for those sites to the Ministry of Natural Resources. The sites selected have potential for producing between 200 and 300 megawatts of clean hydroelectric energy.

"The McGuinty government is making it more attractive to explore renewable energy options in our province" said Minister of Energy Dwight Duncan. "We want to remove barriers, free up resources and implement new ideas to help us meet our supply needs in an environmentally responsible way."

Ramsay also announced a six-month window of opportunity, starting April 1, for companies or individuals to submit proposals for sites for wind power development on Crown land. This follows approval given in January of applications from 16 private companies to assess wind power potential on 21 Crown land sites.

The province is moving aggressively to achieve its target of adding 1,350 megawatts of new renewable generating capacity by 2007 and 2,700 megawatts by 2010.

The following 18 sites have been approved for waterpower development. The successful proponents will now have 120 days to submit their development proposals for those sites to the Ministry of Natural Resources. The sites selected have potential for producing between 200 and 300 megawatts of clean hydroelectric energy.

Site:

Number River Region Nearest Town

5QC17 Trout Lake Northwestern Ontario Ear Falls

5QD6 Wabigoon Northwestern Ontario Grassy Narrows

5PA18 Namakan Northwestern Ontario Lac La Croix

5PA8 Namakan Northwestern Ontario Lac La Croix

5PA17 Namakan Northwestern Ontario Lac la Croix

5PB5 Seine Northwestern Ontario Atikokan

2AD6 Namewaminikan Northwestern Ontario Beardmore

2AD8 Namewaminikan Northwestern Ontario Beardmore

2BA14 Aguasabon Northwestern Ontario Terrace Bay

2BA2 Steel Northwestern Ontario Terrace Bay

2BA3 Steel Northwestern Ontario Terrace Bay

2BB2 Pic Northeastern Ontario Manitouwadge

4LA8 Mattagami Northeastern Ontario Timmins

Fourbass Lake Northeastern Ontario Temagami

2DB9 Wanapitei Northeastern Ontario Eastaire

EOI_03 Steep Rock Lake Northwestern Ontario

Atikokan (West Arm)

2EB4 North Bala Dam Southern Ontario Bala

2EC31 Wasdel Falls Dam Southern Ontario Washago