Responding to the need for more power generation capacity in Ontario, Capital Power began construction on the East Windsor Generation Facility Expansion project in January 2025. The facility will help address the projected generation shortfall in the Windsor-Essex area that could occur as early as 2025 and support economic growth objectives in the region.
The project includes a simple-cycle gas turbine generator capable of generating approximately 100 megawatts (MW). It is located adjacent to the existing East Windsor Cogeneration Centre (EWCC) on a parcel of land owned by Capital Power.
Please scroll down to view additional information, reports and correspondence regarding the project.
Designed to operate as a peaking facility, the project will provide dependable capacity at times when other generation sources (wind, solar, base-load generation) are not capable of meeting demand.
The facility will operate under contract to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), which will determine when it will run based on the need for electricity.
Background
The IESO has identified a significant need for new power supply in the province. This need is driven by 1) increasing demand due to expanding electrification and increasing business investment in the province, 2) refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and the refurbishment schedules at the Bruce and Darlington nuclear facilities, and 3) expiring IESO contracts. To address the projected shortfall, the IESO has identified that Ontario requires an additional 4,000 MW of new power supply between 2025 and 2027.
While the need for new capacity is clear at the system wide level, the IESO has also identified several regions of the province with particularly pressing needs for new power supply. The Windsor-Essex area, representing the region west of London including the City of Windsor, is one of these regions, with the IESO forecast suggesting local demand will outstrip capacity as early as 2025.
Location
The project will be located immediately west of the existing EWCC facility, within the property owned by Capital Power, municipally referred to as 224 Cadillac Street (42.3257, -83.0014), City of Windsor. View map.
Project Details
The project includes these and other components:
- Simple cycle gas turbine generator and auxiliary equipment (gas compressor, exhaust stack, power distribution, air-cooled heat exchanger, etc.)
- A building for the power generation equipment and to mitigate noise
- A transformer to connect to the power grid
- A stormwater management system, including an underground stormwater tank
- A storage building
- Landscaping improvements
The project will make use of some existing infrastructure, including tying into the existing EWCC high-voltage interconnection line to avoid the need for a new connection to the provincial electricity grid.
The buildings have been designed to be consistent with the architectural character of the surrounding neighbourhood, and to ensure the facility is compliant with provincial noise regulations.
Anticipated Schedule
Environmental studies and regulatory approvals
- 2023-2024
Activities below are pending regulatory approval
Construction Start
- Early 2025
Delivery and installation of project components
- 2025-2026
Commercial operation target
- Mid-2026
Regulatory process
Capital Power has completed the Environmental Screening Process for Electricity Projects (ESP) in accordance with Ontario Regulation 50/24 under the Environmental Assessment Act and as outlined in the Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects (2024).
The ESP has two tiers of assessment: the Screening Stage, which can be based primarily on existing or readily available information, and the Environmental Review Stage, where additional work programs, studies and consultation are undertaken to assess environmental effects and/or address unresolved concerns and issues. Capital Power undertook the Environmental Review Stage of the ESP for this project.
Project engineering and design, technical studies and engagement with provincial ministries, the City of Windsor, Indigenous communities, and local residents have been ongoing throughout 2023 and early 2024. The assessments undertaken for the Environmental Review consider the potential effects of the project, and identifies any required mitigation or monitoring on the following:
- Stormwater Management
- Groundwater
- Land Use
- Air Quality
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Noise & Vibration
- Natural Environment (Ecology)
- Socio-Economic Environment
- Heritage Buildings and Landscapes
- Archaeological Resources
- Human Health Risk
- Climate Change Resilience
The results of these assessments have been documented in the Environmental Review Report (ERR) that was made available for public review. Capital Power received the provincial permit required to break ground in December 2024, the municipal building permit in January 2025, and anticipates receiving the final provincial permit (required for operation) in Q2 2025.
Public Engagement
The results of these assessments have been documented in the Environmental Review Report (ERR) that was made available for public review. On August 9, 2024, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) informed Capital Power that it considers the ESP complete, and a Statement of Completion was provided. Capital Power now intends to proceed with the Project subject to the receipt of other provincial and municipal approvals.
Site Contact
Phone: 1-855-703-5005
Email: [email protected]