Proposed Burnt River hydro plant moves forward with council support

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititative Reporter The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: A proposed three-megawatt hydroelectric generating station, on the Burnt River, has received municipal support to move forward with a provincial energy procurement submission, although significant planning, environmental, and regulatory approvals would still be required, before construction could begin.

City council voted, on Tuesday, September 22nd, to approve a Municipal Resolution in Support of Proposal Submission for the project, which is being advanced by Prodigy Power Inc. with planning assistance from EcoVue Consulting Services Inc.

Kent Randall, of EcoVue, and Brenda Kuiper, of Prodigy Power, appeared before council to outline the proposal and explain, the resolution being requested is limited to the project's application to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

“This is an enabling resolution for the procurement stage,” the presentation stated, emphasizing, the municipal resolution “does not constitute approval of the development itself.”

The proposed facility would be a run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant, using the natural flow of the Burnt River, to generate renewable electricity. The project has a proposed maximum contract capacity of three megawatts.

The property is located on vacant land, containing woodlands, a watercourse and riparian areas associated with the river. The presentation identified the site as Part of Lot 13, Concession 12, in the geographic Township of Burnt River, with approximately 29.3 hectares of land, 258 metres of road frontage, on Monck Road, and about 1,055 metres of shoreline frontage on the Burnt River.

The conceptual proposal includes a powerhouse of approximately 149 square metres, or 1,600 square feet, along with a new access road and other infrastructure. The presentation stressed, the design and precise siting remain subject to further technical work.

Prodigy Power was incorporated in 2016 and develops, owns and operates renewable power-generation assets. According to the presentation, the company's principals have more than 40 years of experience in hydroelectric generation.

For now, the company's request was specifically tied to the IESO's Long Lead-Time Energy Supply Request for Proposals process.

The request before Council is limited to municipal support for the IESO proposal submission. The resolution does not replace future planning, permitting or technical approvals.

If the project advances, the proponents would have to undertake a series of technical studies and go through the City's planning process. That would include: applications for a zoning bylaw amendment and site plan approval; as well as, studies covering natural heritage, engineering, hydrogeology, archaeology, and other matters.

A future environmental impact study, geotechnical and hydrogeological reports, stormwater management work, drainage and grading plans, entrance design, and other technical documentation are also anticipated.

Additional approvals may be required from provincial and federal agencies, including: the Ontario Energy Board, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

The proponents also outlined a community and Indigenous engagement strategy which would include: a public open house, notices to nearby property owners, on-site signage, and consultation with Williams Treaties First Nations and other stakeholders.

The presentation noted, the IESO procurement process requires the municipal support resolution, before the broader consultation process takes place. According to the proponents, technical review and conceptual design work would begin before public and Indigenous engagement, with consultation continuing through the planning and approvals process.

The resolution supports the procurement submission, while preserving the City's later review of planning, environmental, engineering, and permitting matters.

Council also considered a broader staff report, concerning Municipal Resolution in Support of Proposal Submission requests, for provincial energy procurement projects.

Council directed staff to prepare a policy, establishing a consultation protocol for energy and resource-intensive projects, the policy will return to council no later than the second quarter of 2027.

Councillors ultimately approved the resolution, supporting Prodigy Power's submission for the proposed hydroelectric project, identified in the municipal resolution as the Kinmount G.S. project.

The resolution specifically stated, its sole purpose is to satisfy a mandatory requirement of the IESO procurement process which may not be used for the purpose of any other form of approval related to the proposed project.

The project would contribute to local renewable electricity generation and Ontario's broader energy supply objectives. For residents near the proposed site, however, the September 22nd decision represents the beginning of a longer process rather than a final green light for construction. Any future development application would be subject to technical studies, agency review, public consultation, and the City's planning and permitting processes.