The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) has a significant amount of resources available to the public. If you do not find what you are looking for on our website, please contact info@owa.ca for more information.
Waterpower – Tomorrow’s Power Today
Made-in-Ontario waterpower is the key to meeting Ontario’s emergent electricity needs and decarbonization objectives. There are significant opportunities to build new waterpower, especially in northern Ontario, and opportunities to expand existing assets in the near-term. Learn more about the value of waterpower and the opportunities that exist in the province in the Ontario Waterpower Association’s Waterpower – Tomorrow’s Power Today brochure.
Made-in-Ontario Northern Hydroelectric Opportunities Report
The Made-in-Ontario Northern Hydroelectric Opportunities report was prepared by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), with input and advice from the Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) and Indigenous communities who are partners in waterpower projects, focused on new waterpower development opportunities in Northern Ontario. The report re-affirms the significant untapped hydroelectric potential in northern Ontario – 4,000-5,000 MW, with much of this (3,000-4,000 MW) in northern Ontario and highlights the importance of new northern Ontario hydroelectric generation as a part of a made-in-Ontario clean energy system.
Public Opinion Polling Results
In February of 2022, the OWA commissioned public opinion polling which was conducted by Innovative Research. The results show that across the province Ontarians strongly support waterpower and that waterpower remains the most popular form of energy generation in Ontario with 90% saying they support it. Other key finds include:
- almost 4 in 5 (79%) Ontarians support the development of waterpower in their region;
- a large majority (81%) support working with local Indigenous communities, including 52% who strongly support it; and
- more than 4 in 5 (81%) support negotiating new contracts for existing facilities.
Socio-Economic Impacts of Annual Capital Investments in Ontario’s Existing Waterpower Facilities
In 2021, an OWA survey of its generator members forecasted that investment in existing waterpower facilities over the next five years (2021-2025) will top $2.4 billion dollars and contribution to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) will top $600 million dollars. Additionally, the report concluded that the investments could create up to 5,000 jobs annually. Economic modeling demonstrates that these investments are an important part of the Province of Ontario’s economy. Read the Executive Summary
Evaluation and Assessment of Ontario’s Waterpower Potential
There remains a perception that ‘there are no waterpower opportunities’ remaining in the province of Ontario. Such statements are not accurate. In fact, this 2005 report, prepared by Hatch, identified 2000 potential waterpower sites.
Northern Hydro Report
In 2013, the OWA commissioned a study of northern hydro potential, the Northern Hydro Report. This study provides an objective evaluation of the costs and energy potential of Ontario’s waterpower situated in the Far North both to help inform the next procurement and policy decisions and to support key provincial socio-economic priorities in the north.
Economic Impact of Waterpower Projects on Crown Land Report
In 2012, the Ministry of Natural Resources, working with the OWA, commissioned a report to evaluate the economic impact of proposed waterpower projects that are on Crown lands. There were 41 waterpower projects totaling approximately 171 MW, that were proposed on Crown land. The provincial charges associated with land and water leases to the horizon year of 2035 amount was estimated to be roughly $45 million and revenues derived from the projects to 2035 sum to approximately $2.0 billion and net revenues over the same period amount to $629 million.
Footprints to Follow
The Footprints to Follow publication is a catalog of Indigenous Community waterpower projects and highlights the successful partnerships of many Ontario Indigenous Communities.
