As part of its plan to protect Ontario and build a stronger, self-reliant economy, the Ontario government is announcing that Ontario and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) are investing $500,000 in growth readiness funding to St. Clair Township to take the next steps on new electricity generation, including potential for natural gas and nuclear, at OPG's Lambton site. Ontario is taking action to bolster its energy security in the face of President Trump's latest attack on our economy by defending and protecting Canadian energy sovereignty and economic security. By building the next generation of made-in-Canada energy, Ontario is ensuring it has the affordable, secure and reliable electricity needed to power the most competitive economy in the G7.
Once a cornerstone of the province's electricity system, the 1,200-acre site is already zoned to host up to 900 megawatts (MW) of new generation, enough to power up to 900,000 additional homes. Strategically located with access to transmission infrastructure, railway, port access and industrial land in one of Ontario's fastest growing regions, OPG's Lambton site is uniquely positioned to help meet the province's future energy needs.
"As Ontario faces unprecedented economic attacks from President Trump, we are doubling down on made-in-Canada energy, with a plan to create 150,000 tariff-proof jobs," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. "While the former government shuttered the coal-powered Lambton Generating Station with no plan to replace the jobs it created, our government is unveiling a plan to bring this site back to life. OPG's Lambton site was once an important part of Ontario's energy story, and with electricity demand growing, we are ensuring it can once again power our growth. While we face new U.S. tariffs, now is exactly the time to build with ambition, using Canadian energy built by Canadian workers, all while firing up the Canadian supply chain."
Ontario's electricity demand is forecast to increase by as much as 90 per cent by 2050, driven by population growth, new housing, electrification, advanced manufacturing and the expansion of critical minerals supply chains. Meeting this growing demand will require significant investment in Ontario's electricity system and new generation across all energy sources. By building new generation today, Ontario is ensuring it has the reliable, affordable and clean electricity needed to power economic growth, attract investment and remain competitive as we face continued economic threats.
The 2013 closure of the Lambton Generating Station, one of Ontario's largest coal plants, took jobs and economic activity away from St. Clair Township. Today, the government is taking the next step to utilize this existing OPG site to support new investment, creating good-paying local jobs and ensuring Lambton once again plays a vital role in powering Ontario's economy. New energy generation at the Lambton site would deliver significant benefits for St. Clair Township and the surrounding region, including opportunities for economic development and the creation of good-paying jobs, equity participation by Indigenous communities, additional host community funding to support infrastructure investments and attracting other industries to the area.
"The potential for new energy generation at OPG's Lambton site is exciting news for the Sarnia-Lambton region and a fitting use for a location that helped power the province for more than four decades," said Bob Bailey, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton. "I look forward to the discussions with our local Indigenous partners, municipalities, and stakeholder groups as we develop the plan for this site and our energy and economic security in Ontario."
Following active engagement with the Ontario government and OPG, the Council of St. Clair Township passed a motion, endorsing continued engagement with OPG and the Ministry of Energy and Mines on the potential for new energy generation, including nuclear power, at the Lambton site. OPG will continue to engage with the local municipality and First Nations communities to support engagement and outline the additional benefits and opportunities to build new energy generation. This announcement unlocks the next step in the process, allowing the municipality and OPG to sign a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) and advance work on the site.
"Thank you to the Honourable Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce, and the Doug Ford government of Ontario for this investment of the $500,000 growth readiness funding," said Jeff Agar, Mayor of St. Clair Township. "This investment will help ensure St. Clair Township's infrastructure is ready to support OPG's efforts to bring the Lambton Generating Station site in Courtright back to life."
Advancing new generation opportunities at existing sites like Lambton plays a central role in Energy for Generations, the government's first-ever integrated energy plan to ensure Ontario has the reliable, affordable power needed to support new homes, attract investment and drive economic growth. The government's integrated approach and record investments in energy infrastructure are providing the certainty needed for Indigenous communities, municipalities, businesses and industry partners to invest confidently in Ontario's future. By planning and building today, Ontario is protecting jobs, supporting workers and securing the affordable, reliable energy needed to power economic growth for generations to come.
Quick Facts
- As Ontario's largest power producer, OPG owns generating stations and properties across the province - three of which - Wesleyville in Port Hope, Nanticoke in Haldimand County, and Lambton in St. Clair Township - are already zoned for electricity generation, have access to transmission, and are located in growing regions with increasing energy needs.
- In December 2024, OPG began discussions with community, municipal and Indigenous leaders on its existing sites in Port Hope, Haldimand County, and St. Clair Township to determine community support for all types of new energy generation, including nuclear, to meet Ontario's soaring demand for electricity.
- In February 2026, OPG signed a partnership agreement with the Municipality of Port Hope to advance planning and preparation for the world's largest nuclear generating station at the Wesleyville site. The Wesleyville project would support 10,500 jobs across Ontario, including 1,700 new good-paying jobs in Port Hope, representing an average 15 to 20 per cent boost to overall employment levels in the local area, while contributing $235 billion to Ontario's GDP over its lifespan.
- In July 2026, the government announced that Haldimand County would receive $500,000 from OPG in growth readiness funding to explore opportunities for new energy generation, including small modular reactors, at OPG's Nanticoke site. New generation at the site could deliver affordable, reliable, and clean electricity while creating good-paying jobs and new economic opportunities across Haldimand County.
Quotes
"Generational energy planning doesn't just mean new builds -- it also means using existing infrastructure to unlock the energy projects of the future, which is exactly what we're doing at OPG's historic Lambton site. By reviving a hub of Ontario's electricity system, we're bringing new opportunities to workers in the local community while attracting new investments, strengthening our economy, and unleashing the full potential of our world-class energy system."
- Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries
"Ontario's $53 billion agri-food sector depends on reliable power, for family farms and greenhouses to food processing facilities. By advancing opportunities for new electricity generation in the face of trade disruptions and global uncertainty, our government is creating the conditions for the agri-food sector to grow, create jobs and ensure our communities can continue to count on food grown and made right here at home."
- Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
"Lambton County welcomes this provincial investment and the opportunities it creates for local workers, businesses, and the regional economy. Our highly skilled workforce and strong industrial base have long supported major energy and industrial investments, and we look forward to learning more as the Province and its partners advance work at the Lambton site."
- Kevin R. Marriott, Warden, Lambton County
"Early community engagement is a critical first step to siting new electricity generation. This funding will provide the initial resources St. Clair Township needs to participate meaningfully on behalf of its residents as this important discussion progresses."
- Kim Lauritsen, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Strategy and Growth, OPG
"Ontario's economic future will increasingly depend on its ability to build reliable and affordable energy ahead of demand. Redeveloping strategic sites such as Lambton -- with existing infrastructure, a skilled workforce and the ability to accommodate multiple forms of generation -- is exactly the kind of practical, long-term energy planning Canada needs to attract investment, strengthen energy security and create regional prosperity."
- Gerard Protti, Chair, Macdonald-Laurier Institute
"APPrO applauds the engagement between St. Clair Township and Ontario Power Generation with the Ministry of Energy and Mines on the potential for new energy generation at the Lambton site. With existing electricity zoning, access to major transmission infrastructure, and a location in one of Ontario's fastest growing regions, the Lambton site is uniquely positioned to help meet the province's future electricity needs. Advancing new generation opportunities at existing sites like Lambton plays a central role in the government's first-ever integrated energy plan to ensure Ontario has the affordable, reliable and clean electricity needed to power economic growth, attract investment, and protect the province's long-term energy security."
- Colin Anderson, President and CEO, APPrO
"Ontario's industrial competitiveness depends on a reliable and affordable supply of electricity that allows industry to invest, grow and create jobs. AMPCO supports Minister Lecce's commitment to long-term planning that delivers the reliable, affordable power Ontario will need to meet growing demand and strengthen our industrial economy. Exploring new generation at strategic sites like Lambton is an important part of that plan."
- Brad Duguid, President, Association of Major Power Consumers in Ontario (AMPCO)
"We commend Minister Lecce and the Government of Ontario for recognizing the strategic importance of OPG's Lambton site and for advancing assessment of new generation opportunities, including nuclear power. Sarnia-Lambton has long been one of Ontario's key energy clusters, and this is exactly the kind of investment we've been positioning to deliver, as part of a diverse energy mix. Our region has the manufacturing, engineering and skilled trades capacity to support projects of this scale, and the Lambton site's history of energy production makes it uniquely positioned to help meet the province's future electricity needs -- strengthening Ontario's economic competitiveness and energy security for years to come."
- Matthew Slotwinski, CEO, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
"This investment represents an important opportunity for Ontario's skilled trades and the contractors who employ them. Sarnia-Lambton has one of the most experienced industrial construction workforces in the province, and our members have the skills and experience to deliver complex projects safely, on time, and on budget. We welcome the opportunities this will create for skilled tradespeople and Ontario businesses."
- John Pilat, General Manager, Sarnia Construction Association
"Sovereign energy generation is central to Ontario's power grid, and building big here in Sarnia-Lambton will add jobs within the area in building and construction trades and the area's Fab shops. Our area Tradespeople and Manufacturing Shops have past expertise in energy construction, and we can build them here for markets across the globe. The Sarnia Lambton Building Trades welcome this decision and commitment by our Provincial Government, which will power Ontario's economy for generations to come."
- John Swart, President, Sarnia-Lambton Building Trades Council
"The Sarnia-Lambton business community strongly welcomes this critical investment in the future of the Lambton site. Reallocating this strategically positioned industrial land for next-generation energy production, potentially including Small Modular Reactors, is a transformative win for St. Clair Township and our entire region. Reliable, affordable, clean energy is the bedrock of industrial competitiveness. This growth readiness funding not only paves the way for high-paying local jobs, but it also gives local businesses and major industrial partners the energy certainty needed to invest, expand, and thrive right here in Lambton County."
- Steve Crozier, Interim CEO, Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce
"LiUNA Local 1089 welcomes this important step toward a new chapter for the Lambton site and our entire region. As Ontario builds the next generation of energy infrastructure, LiUNA members are ready to build it, creating good-paying family-supporting careers, strengthening our skilled workforce and driving long-term economic growth across Sarnia-Lambton. We commend the ongoing leadership of Minister Stephen Lecce, the Ontario government and our partners at the Ontario Power Generation for recognizing the potential of this site and working together to advance the reliable, made-in-Ontario energy we need to attract investment, strengthen our competitiveness and power our province for generations to come."
- Tony Valenti, Business Manager, LiUNA Local 1089
"Today's announcement is welcome news to the nearly 1,700 members of UA Local 663 and their families. Future development of the Lambton Generating Site is an announcement this community has been waiting for since its closure over a decade ago. The Lambton site's prime industrial location paired with the critical infrastructure already in place, could make this site a key piece of Ontario's clean energy future, provide good paying jobs for the approximately 5,500 Building Trades Workers in the community while further securing Ontario's energy independence for decades into the future."
- Kayle McDonald, Business Manager, United Association Local 663
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