What is the Portlands Gas Plant (a.k.a the Portlands Energy Centre)?

The Portlands Gas Plant burns fossil gas to create electricity. It came online in 2009 despite much opposition from Toronto politicians and citizens. It was called “The Mistake by the Lake.” In 2022, it produced as much greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution as 133,000 cars. And this number is only going up, not down: in 2024, it produced as much carbon dioxide as 231,000 cars. The plant’s current generating capacity is 600 megawatts of electricity, after its owner expanded the plant by another 50 megawatts. 

Where is the Portlands Gas Plant located?

The plant is on the Toronto waterfront in the east end of Toronto. Located on Unwin Avenue at the base of Eastern Avenue, the plant is directly south of the Leslieville and Riverdale neighbourhoods, west of the Beaches neighbourhood, and adjacent to the Leslie Street Spit.

Who owns and operates the Portlands Gas Plant?

Atura Power owns and operates Portlands. Atura Power is a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, which is a Crown corporation owned by the Province of Ontario (a.k.a. the taxpayer).

What is “natural” gas?

More aptly called fossil gas, it is a fossil fuel composed largely of methane (CH₄), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). Methane leaks into the atmosphere when fossil gas is extracted, produced, and transported. GHGs – the primary contributors to the climate crisis – are released when fossil gas is burned. 

What emissions are released by the Portlands Gas Plant?

• Greenhouse Gases – CH₄ & Carbon Dioxide: The Portlands Gas Plant is the largest emitter of GHGs in Toronto, and the 4th largest in the Greater Toronto Area. Since Doug Ford became Premier, GHG pollution from the Portlands plant has increased 550%.
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): These air pollutants contribute to smog and human health conditions including asthma and other respiratory illnesses for local residents and workers. The Portlands Gas Plant is the #1 emitter of NOx in Toronto.
• How often is the Portlands Gas Plant being run currently to produce electricity?
• First promoted as a “peaker” plant that would run at less than 15% capacity, its production has increased 550% over the last 5 years, operating an average of 14 hours a day over the past year. This summer, the plant operated most days for 21 hours a day, at 87.5% of capacity. The Portlands Gas Plant is expected to increase operations as Ontario’s nuclear power plants reduce output for maintenance. Portlands has become a baseload power plant, rather than a peaker plant as originally intended.

What recent changes did the Ontario Government make at the Portlands Gas Plant?

In addition to the expanded reliance on Portlands as a baseload source of power, the government recently expanded the plant’s capacity by 50 megawatts. Atura Power and the Ontario Government tried to market this costly expansion as an “efficiency upgrade.” However, after this expansion, the plant’s output can be ramped up and Portlands will continue to operate until at least 2034 and likely beyond (its original shutdown date was 2029). This expansion undermines the federal goal of net-zero by 2035 and Toronto’s climate targets, worsen air pollution in Toronto, and increase Ontario’s climate impacts on people and the environment. In addition to ramping up Portlands and other gas plants in the province, Ontario has not contracted for any new solar or wind projects during the last 5 years.

What should the Ontario Government do instead of ramping up gas-fired electricity?

The Ontario government should do the following:

• Rapidly ramp up investments in wind and solar energy that are now less costly and cleaner than gas-fired electricity production;
• Import more of Quebec’s low-cost surplus water power and storage; and 
• Make further investments in energy conservation and demand response measures to shift demand from peak to off-peak periods.

Many government, research, and financial institution reports indicate that the path forward for Ontario is not further investment in gas plants, but rather rapid investments in renewable sources. Jurisdictions around the world are already making these investments; Ontario needs to join them!

What is the role of the Federal Government in this issue?

The federal government has jurisdiction over GHG emissions. They can stop Ontario’s planned 700% gas ramp up by implementing strong Clean Electricity Regulations that will stop the construction of new gas plants and phase-out existing ones. This is vital to Canada meeting its international climate targets.