Dear Editor,
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion about Ontario’s future energy system.
TC Energy is proposing the Ontario Pumped Storage Project (Project) because Ontario is facing rapid growth in electricity demand and needs reliable, clean, and flexible solutions to meet long term needs. Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator projects electricity demand will increase 65 per cent by 2050, requiring new supply and significant storage capacity to keep Ontario’s grid resilient and cost-effective. Pumped storage is a proven technology that addresses this challenge by storing excess energy when demand is low and delivering it back to the grid when it is needed most.
The proposed Project would provide up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power one million homes for up to 11 hours, helping to ensure reliability during peak periods. It also represents a major economic investment in the province, supporting thousands of skilled jobs, strengthening Ontario’s supply chain, and contributing to clean energy growth. The Project is currently undergoing rigorous environmental and economic assessments, supported by up to $285 million in provincial funding to continue pre-development work on the Project.
Pumped storage is the predominant form of large-scale energy storage used around the world because of its long lifespan (80 to 100 years), reliability, and ability to support grids with growing nuclear and renewable portfolios. Many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, China, Australia, and Japan, continue to build, expand, and modernize pumped storage facilities as they work to integrate more clean energy and enhance grid stability. While each project must be evaluated on its own merits, the global track record shows that pumped storage remains a cornerstone technology for modern electricity systems facing exactly the challenges Ontario is now addressing.
Ontario’s consideration of this project is grounded in the need for long-term, sustainable, and dependable energy solutions. As assessments continue, TC Energy and prospective partners Saugeen Ojibway Nation, remain committed to careful study, ongoing public engagement, and ensuring that environmental, cultural, and community considerations are fully addressed before any final decisions are made. This collaborative, evidence-based approach is essential to building the energy system Ontarians will rely on for decades to come.
As we continue this important dialogue, it’s worth noting that TC Energy will soon begin the federal Impact Assessment process, which will include multiple opportunities for public input. This next phase will provide all interested parties with further avenues to review project information, ask questions, and share their perspectives.
We invite residents to join us for a coffee chat every Thursday at our office on Sykes Street. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, learn the facts, and speak directly with our team.
Sincerely,
Clark Little
on behalf of the Ontario Pumped Storage Team
