1) What is biomass energy and what environmental benefits does it have?
Wood pellets and non-food aricultural products, such as wheat shorts, represent one of the newest opportunities for generating electricity. We’re looking at the latest bioenergy technologies to lessen our impact on the environment while still delivering the electricity Ontario needs to grow. Tests at our Nanticoke and Thunder Bay Generating Stations showed adding biomass to our fuel mix reduces net greenhouse gas emissions. And our Atikokan plant is working in cooperation with the province’s Bioenergy Research Centre to do additional research. To learn more go to opg.com/biomass
2) How much of the electricity generated by OPG is CO2 free?
70% of OPG’s electricity comes from sources like our hydroelectric and nuclear stations, which are virtually free of Greenhouse Gas emissions. Going forward, we will stop burning coal by the end of 2014, which will further reduce our carbon footprint.
3) I heard the Ontario government is considering building more nuclear stations. Why?
Today, Ontario has 30,000 MW of electricity generating capacity, but many existing power facilities are approaching the end of their operating life and 80% will need to be refurbished or replaced over the next 20 years. Nuclear power generation emits vitually none of the gases that lead to smog or global warming.
4) Why not use more renewable electricity sources like hydroelectric?
Hydroelectric power is clean and renewable. It’s exactly the kind of power that Ontario needs. That’s why OPG is searching out new possible sources of hydro power throughout Ontario. The Niagara Tunnel, when completed, will help generate enough renewable hydro power to meet the annual electricity needs of over 160,000 households. OPG is also developing more hydroelectric power in northern Ontario.
5) What percentage of our electricity comes from nuclear power?
About half of Ontario’s electricity comes from nuclear power. The provincial government has committed to maintaining Ontario’s nuclear generating capacity at its current level of 14,000 megawatts.
6) What happens to nuclear waste in the long-term?
Like any other industry, nuclear fuel cycle operations produce some waste. OPG has been safely storing nuclear waste for more than 40 years. Canada has a plan for managing used nuclear fuel. To learn more about Canada’s plans for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel visit the Nuclear Waste Management Organization web site.
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