The Ontario Waterpower Association announced in January that a major study on the potential for waterpower in northern Ontario had been completed. The study, carried out by consulting firm Hatch Energy, examines the site specific issues and power generation potential for a full range of undeveloped sites in Northern Ontario.
The study project included the development of an inventory of waterpower potential across all drainage basins of Northern Ontario. Key areas of emphasis included the expansion in the northeast to support long-term provincial energy requirements, linking diesel-dependent Far North communities and opportunities in reasonable proximity to the Ring of Fire area, which contains significant mineral resources.
The report was prepared with support from the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Power Authority.
A summary of the report is available on the OWA website. The full study is expected to be available from the OWA in the near future.