Hydro Ottawa to expand Chaudière Falls operation
By Matthew Pearson, OTTAWA CITIZEN March 7, 2014 12:24 PM
OTTAWA — Hydro Ottawa has won approval for its plan to expand the historic hydroelectric generating facility at Chaudière Falls.
The utility has been awarded a 40-year contract to expand its facility at the falls by constructing a new, 29-megawatt facility — enough energy to power 20,000 homes for a year.
The multi-million-dollar project, announced by Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli on Friday, will nearly double Hydro Ottawa’s capacity on the Ottawa River.
“Today’s announcement is truly a win-win for the City of Ottawa,” he said.
Not only is hydroelectricity clean and renewable, but the expanded scope of Hydro Ottawa’s operation could mean up to $15 billion in new revenue for the utility.
And because it has a revenue-sharing agreement with the city, the city will benefit from 40 years of guaranteed revenue it can use to invest in roads, bridges, transit and community services, or to keep property taxes low, Chiarelli said.
Hydro Ottawa’s dividend to the city was worth $18.6 million in 2013, based on 2012 results.
Hydro Ottawa applied to the Ontario Power Authority for the contract last November.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2015 and the added electricity is expected to flow by 2017.
The utility says the construction project will create 150 jobs.
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