Ontario utility finances hydro project

In late October, Ontario Power Generation Inc. OPG reached financial close of a $200 million private placement bond offering to fund the re-development and expansion of four hydroelectric generating stations on the lower part of the Mattagami River in northeastern Ontario.

The bonds were issued by Lower Mattagami Energy Limited Partnership LMELP, a limited partnership between OPG, as the sole general partner, and LM Energy Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of OPG. LMELP reached financial close of the $200 million private placement issue of senior secured bonds at a fixed 2.228 percent annual interest rate due in October 2017. This is the third of several private placement issues of senior secured bonds planned to be used to refinance commercial paper or other indebtedness, which collectively will complete the forecast $1.9 billion debt financing required for the project.

The redevelopment and expansion of four hydroelectric generating stations will utilize available water more efficiently, and increase production of clean and renewable electricity. One additional generating unit will be added to each of three existing stations - Little Long, Harmonand Kipling. The fourth station - Smoky Falls - will be decommissioned and replaced by a new, three-unit, 267 megawatt MW generating station.

The expanded Lower Mattagami River Complex will have a total generating capacity of 924 MW, which is an increase of 438 MW. Construction began in June 2010 and continues to progress well towards completion in 2015.

Approximately 1,300 people are currently employed by the project including about 250 First Nation and Métis workers.