Ontario Construction News staff writer
More than $11 million has been announced to support projects to modernize forestry operations in northeastern Ontario.
Recipients include:
- Hornepayne Power Inc.: $7.5 million to increase regional energy production by modernizing and upgrading power generation equipment. Funding will also support research into on-site green hydrogen production.
- GreenFirst Forest Products Inc.: $3 million to boost productivity, cut costs and improve product quality by upgrading the company’s biomass cogeneration plant, and $130,000 to research the use of mill by-products for torrefied pellets, a green alternative to coal.
- Circular Carbon Canada Inc.: $500,000 to study northeast sawmills as potential sites for pyrolysis plants, which use forest biomass to produce biochar, which is a substance used in power generation, soil amendment and water filtration.
- Wikwemikong Development Commission: $200,000 to support the development of a combined wood pellet and biocoal facility by assisting with permitting, contracting, business development and community engagement.
Funded projects will increase demand for the harvesting, hauling and trucking industries, and develop new opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate in the growing forestry industry.
“Forestry has always been a cornerstone of the economy in Northeastern Ontario — a sector built on hard work, local expertise, and the ability to adapt,” said George Pirie, Member of Provincial Parliament for Timmins. “That’s why we’re supporting new projects like a Timmins-led feasibility study into biomass and biochar to create new industry opportunities across Northern Ontario. This study will explore practical ways to turn forestry by-products into clean energy and bring new jobs to our community.”
Ontario’s Forest Biomass Program invests up to $20 million each year in projects to increase wood harvest, create forest sector opportunity and find new uses for wood in collaboration with stakeholders, industry and Indigenous communities.
