Ontario Power Generation is to spend over C$250 million in emission control measures at three coal-fired power plants in the province. The company claims the new measures will reduce annual emissions from the stations by 13 000 tonne from around 50 000 tonne.
Catalytic reduction equipment is to be fitted at two of eight coal-fired units at the Nanticoke generating station near Simcoe, and on two of four units at the Lambton generating station hear Sarnia. In addition two of the four units at the Lakeview generating station will be fitted with low-NOx burners. The other two units are already fitted with these burners.
Ontario deregulates its electricity market in 2001 and Ontario Power will face competition from other electricity producers. It must also sell some of its nuclear, coal, gas/oil fired or hydro power stations.
Environmentalists claim that Ontario Power wants to build more coal fired stations and have criticised the company for spending money on emission reductiont rather than conversion to gas firing. Ontario argues that it would take many years and cost C$5 billion to convert all its plant.