Riverside Generating Station

Riverside Generating Station MapProject update: Atura Power’s proposed Riverside GS Project will not advance under Window 1 of the Independent Electricity System Operator’s Long-Term 2 Request for Proposals. We remain very appreciative of the municipal leaders, Indigenous communities, members of the public and industry groups who have engaged with Atura Power on this proposal to date. Atura Power continues to monitor Ontario’s evolving electricity needs and intends to evaluate potential future development opportunities for the RGS project.

Project overview

Riverside Generating Station General Partnership (the Proponent) is proposing to construct the Riverside Generating Station (RGS), a new natural gas-fuelled generating station in the Township of St. Clair, within the County of Lambton. The Proponent is a partnership between Atura Power, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and Caldwell First Nation.

The proposed Riverside Generating Station, a simple cycle gas turbine facility, will generate up to 500 megawatts (MW) of reliable electricity to Ontario’s grid and help meet the IESO’s identified need for additional electricity supply. The proposed project will also support the integration of additional renewable energy sources, longer term.

The site for the proposed RGS is located on the lands of the former OPG-owned and operated Lambton Generating Station along the St. Clair Parkway, between Courtright Line and Oil Springs Line. As a peaking facility, RGS will be designed to operate during periods of high demand using efficient gas turbine technology. The proposed station is anticipated to be operational by 2030 should it be awarded an IESO contract.

Learn more about gas-fuelled generation and the important role it plays in Ontario’s electricity system.

Responding to Ontario’s growing electricity demand

Ontario is entering an accelerated pace of electricity demand growth primarily driven by industrial growth, energy-intensive data centres and increasing population and electrification. According to the latest annual forecast from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), electricity demand in Ontario is anticipated to grow 65 per cent by 2050.

To prepare for future electricity demands and support a reliable grid for Ontarians, the IESO has initiated a LT2 RFP to secure new electricity resources that could be in service into the 2030s and beyond.

Project Details

Project Name: Riverside Generating Station Project
Proponent: Riverside Generating Station General Partnership
Location: St. Clair Township, Ont.
Generating Technology: Natural Gas-Fuelled Electricity Generating Station
Maximum Capacity: Up to 500 MW

Environmental review process and project timeline

According to Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 50/24: Part II.3 Projects under the Environmental Assessment Act, the proposed RGS is subject to review under the Environmental Screening Process for Electricity Projects. The process has two tiers of assessment: Screening Stage and Environmental Review Stage. An Environmental Review has been voluntarily initiated, which includes a more comprehensive study of potential environmental effects. The Environmental Review process has been initiated prior to the LT2 contract awards announcement to meet IESO’s in-service deadlines, and to provide adequate time for meaningful public participation.

A Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Review was issued on February 12, 2026, to advise of the start of the Environmental Review. An Environmental Review Report (ERR) will be made available for a 30-day public review period following completion of the Environmental Review later this year. The ERR will include a review of existing conditions, potential environmental effects and proposed mitigation measures, and document engagement activities and input from Indigenous communities, the host municipality of St. Clair Township, the public and other interested parties.

All necessary permits and approvals would be secured prior to any potential construction activity.

Preliminary timeline for proposed project

Riverside generating station timeline

We want to hear from you

We are committed to engaging with the public and Indigenous communities throughout the Environmental Review process and beyond.

Please view the Resources and materials section of this webpage to access project documents and public meeting materials.

Please access the Contact us form if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

In November 2024, the Lambton site was one of three strategic Ontario Power Generation (OPG) owned sites, along with Wesleyville and Nanticoke, identified by the Ontario Government for potential future electricity growth.

OPG is in the early stages of evaluating potential opportunities for redeveloping the Lambton site for electricity generating purposes.

Atura Power is a subsidiary of OPG and its proposed Riverside Generating Station project – an up to 500 MW natural gas-fueled electricity generating station – is being explored as part of a separate, competitive process managed by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). The proposed project is a coordinated effort with OPG to maximize the generation potential of the site with the possibility of co-locating other technologies in the future. 

The proposed Riverside Generating Station project provides economic and strategic value to Ontario by reinforcing local energy security and utilizing existing grid infrastructure at a site with a proven track record of supporting provincial electricity needs.

There are several advantages to the Lambton site, including:

  • Site is already zoned for industrial use;
  • Access to high voltage transmission;
  • Access to reliable natural gas;
  • Access to railway and deepwater dock;
  • Potential to co-locate other technologies on-site, longer-term;
  • Reduced environmental impacts due to brownfield site condition; and
  • Strong local workforce and capabilities.

The proposed Riverside Generating Station (GS) would not preclude the exploration of other electricity generating technologies on the Lambton site in future years including energy storage, solar, hydrogen and/or nuclear.

The proposed Riverside GS project would occupy a small portion of the Lambton site property and represents the first of several technology options that could be explored longer term.

Gas facilities are strategic transitional assets, bridging the gap as demand is increasing dramatically (up 65 per cent by 2050 according to the IESO) until storage, renewables and other non-emitting generating sources can meet peak demand.

The proposed Riverside Generating Station (GS) would source natural gas from a diverse and secure North American supply network, including both U.S. and Canadian production from Alberta and British Columbia. Natural gas is expected to be drawn from the Dawn Hub - one of North America’s largest integrated storage and trading facilities - located in southwestern Ontario, near the City of Sarnia.

By leveraging this strategic infrastructure, Riverside GS will ensure a reliable and flexible fuel supply to support Ontario’s electricity system. As a peaking facility, it is designed to operate during periods of high demand or system stress, enhancing grid reliability while consuming gas only intermittently.

Atura Power is focused on Ontario-first spending and supporting local economies in its host communities. This includes a commitment to working with local suppliers and contractors wherever possible, ensuring that the economic benefits of this project stay within the host community, should the project advance.

Project Documents

Project documents will be posted as they become available. Please let us know if you require an alternate format for any documents posted through the Contact Us form below.

Environmental review materials

Initial Project Description

LT2 public meeting materials

Contact us

Comments and information regarding this project are being collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments received will become part of the project record.