Ontario Construction News staff writer
TC Energy has selected Hatch to provide reservoir safety expertise and advisory services for the Ontario Pumped Storage Project in Meaford.
A multi-billion-dollar private sector investment over the next eight years, the project will create about 1,000 jobs during development and construction, TC Energy has said.
When completed, the facility built on Department of National Defence’s 4th Canadian Division Training Centre property adjacent to Georgian Bay will provide emission-free electricity for the province while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an expected 490,000 tonnes..
As Ontario’s largest energy storage project, it will deliver more than $250 million in annual savings to electricity consumers and generate about $12.1 billion in energy cost benefits.
“Continued public engagement on reservoir safety is essential to the development of this project. TC Energy is pleased to engage Hatch to provide independent expert advice and support to our existing Community Liaison Committee” said John Mikkelsen, project director with TC Energy.
Hatch will provide reservoir safety guidance and create an independent reservoir safety advisory board to conduct periodic independent external reviews and provide expertise and recommendations in design, construction and operation of the reservoir through all phases of the project.
The board will be led by Richard Donnelly, Hatch’s principal consultant for dams and waterpower, who has over 40 years of experience in the design and construction of hydroelectric and pumped storage facilities, dams and underground structures.
Donnelly is track chair for the Civil Works and Dam Safety track at HYDROVISION International.
Membership on the board will be include experts in reservoir construction and safe operation of hydroelectric facilities. Hatch said this project will help Canada meet its 2030 target of a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.