Green power remains unused

I would like to talk about renewable green energy available to St. Catharines, which has been sitting unused since the mid 1940s when the former Ontario HEPC developed the new power plant at Power Glen.

The area I am talking about runs from the old bridge area of St. Paul Crescent to Welland Vale, a distance of about one kilometre. The banks of the old canal/Twelve Mile Creek have been armoured with rock to stop erosion, which has stood up to the fast-flowing water for over 60 years. Think of the amount of power developed through the two power plants at Power Glen — that same water is running free through this stretch, unused and unimpeded.

I would propose a series of free-standing shore base abutments, each containing an electricity-producing turbine, with a containment arm directing the flow of water into the turbine. This could be spaced on alternate sides of the stream to capture as much power as possible.

This would add to the green electrical power already being generated at Port Dalhousie, at the Heywood Generating Station.

I do hope the mayor and city council take a good look at this proposal, and take it forward to completion. Richard O’Mara

St. Catharines