Importing power from Mich. among the ideas examined to boost Windsor's electricity supply
CBC
Importing power from Michigan, supporting five proposed transmission projects west of London and advocating that Windsor be home to future energy projects are just three of the recommendations in a new city report about Windsor's future electricity supply.
But the author of that report says it's a call to action, not sounding an alarm.
As Windsor preps for a huge surge in electricity usage due to incoming investments and electrification, the city has hired a consultant to explore solutions for possible supply constraints down the road.
Energy consulting firm Power Advisory drafted a 68-page report heading to council in a few weeks recommending city council ask Ontario to investigate power import from Michigan. Adding to the need for more power, there are some aging power generation facilities in Ontario that need to be refurbished and others have private contracts that are expiring, the report outlines.
"There is a call to action, but I wouldn't say there is a need for alarm bells," said Sarah Simmons, director of utilities and innovation of Power Advisory, an energy consultant.
The biggest take-away from the report, she said, is a willingness from Windsor city council to engage in developers who may be interested building electricity capacity.
"There will be new electricity supply needed in the region, so let's make sure we're all working together making sure that these facilities are appropriately sited within communities and move forward to ensure we do have all resources to connect all customers as required," said Simmons.
One of those major players is the $4.9-billion electric vehicle battery plant, which is set to be operation in 2024. South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution and European automaker Stellantis made the announcement earlier this year, alongside all three levels of government.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is tasked with managing Ontario's power needs and planning for the future. In April, the provincial government announced a $1-billion investment for five electricity transmission projects west of London:
What's needed is a mixture of more transmission lines to get energy to Windsor, but also more power being generated in Ontario, Simmons said.
Given all of the challenges ahead and power that will be needed to support new investments, Simmons said she isn't worried about brownouts, also know as partial power outages.
"I'd be concerned if these things weren't being planned, but right now these are initiatives that are underway," said Simmons.
Wild boars have been declared "a pest in all circumstances" by the Alberta government effective Dec. 1, meaning new restrictions have been placed on keeping them in captivity and hunting them in the wild.
Health Canada has issued a public advisory after a convenience store in Toronto sold fake erectile dysfunction drugs to customers.
More details are now available about how a farmer's field in south London will be transformed to shelter up to 60 homeless people starting in January.
Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after an officer involved shooting at Danforth Go station early Saturday morning, said Toronto police.
Thousands are without power across Newfoundland this morning due to severe weather conditions, including high winds and cold temperatures.
The federal government says roughly half of the workers expected to be laid off at Algoma Steel will be eligible to be rehired by the end of next year.
Almost a year and a half after pieces of the Mont-Blanc were discovered during dredging in Halifax harbour, plans are taking shape for what to do with some of the wreckage from the famed ship involved in the Halifax Explosion.
Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after an officer involved shooting at Danforth Go station early Saturday morning, said Toronto police.
Montreal officials will hold a ceremony to mark the 36th anniversary of the Polytechnique massacre today.
The City of Regina's proposal to build a roadway through the McKell Wascana Conservation Park should be discarded, local conservationists say.
A holiday event that began in 2020 during the pandemic with three floats on pickup trucks has now become one of Kelowna’s big winter events, drawing thousands to the city’s downtown core.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
It’s been hard to keep track of how many legal challenges and active court proceedings the United Conservative government has tried to quash or pre-emptively block in the last six weeks, but let’s try to tally: