Canada’s provincially owned power generating company Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has received approval from the provincial government of Ontario to proceed with the Niagara tunnel project.
The new tunnel will divert and carry additional water from above the Niagara Falls to the existing Sir Adam Beck Generating Complex located at Queenston Heights, enabling electricity to be generated from the Niagara river. Working under Canada’s international treaty with the US, OPG intends to maximise the water in the Niagara river for electricity generation, while not affecting in any way the beauty of the Niagara Falls.
When completed, the Niagara Tunnel will deliver enough additional water to increase generation output from the Beck Complex by about 1.6TWh of electricity every year. The proposed tunnel will pass under the City of Niagara Falls.
During construction, steps will be taken to minimise disruption on the community and tourism in the area. Construction of the tunnel could begin as early as next year, with completion of the project expected in 2009.