The government is allocating $500,000 towards the proposed construction of a new power plant in Corunna, located in Lambton County, southwestern Ontario. The funding aims to facilitate further community consultations to gather input on the preferred energy source, whether it be nuclear or natural gas, involving local municipalities and First Nations.
Following the closure of Corunna’s former coal-fired Lambton Generating Station in 2013, which resulted in approximately 400 job losses, the province is planning to develop a new plant at the same site to capitalize on existing infrastructure such as zoning, transmission lines, and transportation access points to expedite the process.
The proposed plant is projected to contribute an additional 900 megawatts of power to the grid. Energy minister Stephen Lecce mentioned that the construction of mini-nuclear sites could take up to ten years to complete and commence energy production. However, details regarding the plant’s design, cost, job creation potential, and other specifics have yet to be determined.
Lecce emphasized the government’s preference for clean energy with high efficiency during a news conference held by the St. Clair River. St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar expressed his commitment to revitalizing the plant, particularly with the ongoing construction of the new St. Clair transmission line.
The government’s focus is on expediting the project in collaboration with the community, prioritizing local perspectives from ratepayers, municipalities, and First Nations. Lecce highlighted the importance of swift action, unity, and collaboration, emphasizing the resilience and economic benefits of nuclear energy as a domestically produced and reliable option.