Capacity of natural gas-fired York Energy Centre in King set to grow by 10%

Province, IESO says expansion necessary, but Ontario Clean Air Alliance chairperson describes move as 'climate lunacy'

Yorkregion.com
July 7, 2023
Simon Martin

Is increasing the generation capacity of King’s York Energy Centre gas plant by 10% the right thing to do to meet energy needs?

Yes, says David Devereaux, director of resource planning at The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), explaining fuel -- fossil fuel -- is needed.

Wind or solar energy are not as reliable since the output is “variable” rather than steady, he said.

But the Ontario Clean Air Alliance questions the decision to increase the centre’s capacity.

“Expanding the output of our gas plants in the midst of a climate crisis is climate lunacy,” said Jack Gibbons, chairperson of the OCAA via email.

“The proposal to expand the capacity of the York Energy Centre is also economic lunacy since we have cleaner and lower cost options to keep our lights on.”

In October 2022, Ontario minister of energy, Todd Smith, directed the IESO to acquire up to 1,500 megawatts of new gas-fired generation capacity.

The IESO announced June 27 that it is planning to enter into a contract with Capital Power for a 38 megawatt (about 10%) increase in generation capacity at the York gas plant.

“Gas is a transitional fuel,” Devereaux said. “It’s needed for the next few years. It takes lots of time to build a hydro dam or a wind farm.”

Changes to the plant will improve its efficiency, Devereaux said, adding that choosing newer technologies may not have been as reliable as using fossil fuels.

“The system’s needs are coming quickly,” he said. “There is a risk in the supply chain when accessing new technology which will need to provide energy well into 2026 and 2027. The supply chain is constrained when trying to get electrical equipment like batteries or minerals for electric cars.”

The King expansion will increase greenhouse gas emissions, Gibbons said.

“It isn’t good for the climate and public health because it means more smog and pollution.”

In December 2022, Ontario’s Minister of Energy directed the IESO to only contract for new gas-fired generation in municipalities which have passed resolutions of support.

As far as he knows, King hasn’t passed a resolution that it’s in favour of the capacity increase, Gibbons said.

In fact, King Township and 33 other municipalities have passed resolutions calling for the phase-out of gas-fired power.

“The Ontario provincial government is curiously committed to expanding fossil gas electricity generation,” said Lana Goldberg, Environmental Defence’s Ontario climate program manager.

Councillor Debbie Schaefer was involved in the group that opposed the generator being built at the plant in the first place. The generator started to run in 2012.

She said it is disappointing that more action is not being taken on the part of the government to produce more electricity using wind and solar and storing surplus electricity from all sources in battery systems. More incentive is needed for residents to conserve and for businesses to switch to demand response measures, she said.

Councillor Avia Eek said in an email: After doing my own research on this matter, I have learned that this is not an "expansion," but an upgrade using advanced technology, upgradable materials and/or higher performance levels.

“We will be in a generation capacity deficit starting in 2025. Simply put, with the electricity needs for running our homes, charging our devices, plugging in electrical vehicles etc. the current system does not have the capacity to meet our ongoing electricity needs.”