![[L-R] Chris Fralick, Plant Manager, Northwest Thermal (OPG); Tom Mitchell, President and CEO (OPG); Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan; Dennis Brown, Mayor Atikokan; Brent Boyko, Station Manager, Atikokan Generating Station (OPG).](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Groundbreaking-Oct-11-2012.jpg "Groundbreaking (Oct 11, 2012)")
THUNDER BAY – Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is suspending further work on the Thunder Bay Generating Station gas conversion pending a review by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) of electricity needs in Northwestern Ontario. The OPA, the province’s supply planning arm, has informed OPG it needs time to explore other options for electricity supply in the northwest part of the province. When the OPA is ready to proceed, OPG will provide its best option for consideration at that time.
Word is continuing at Atikokan where the facility is being converted to bio-mass.
In a media release, the OPG state, “We want to thank all those who worked on the detailed planning, and community members who provided support and encouragement for the project. Our work to date reflected direction of the Long-term Energy Plan and the government directive to the OPA.
“OPG continues to explore repowering options at its Thunder Bay Generating Station and at its other coal-fired plants. The suspension of this project will not impact current operations”.
