Belleville Green Hydro Power Project

Quinte Conservation Authority in partnership with the City of Belleville has initiated a full feasibility study of the Lott, McLeod and Holgate Dams on the Moira River in the City of Belleville - currently used for ice and flood control - will examine the potential for expanding the dams’ purpose to enable the production of electricity on a run of river basis. Preliminary estimates indicate that the sites have a generation capacity of 1 to 1.5 megawatts (MW), resulting in an energy potential of approximately 4,000 to 6,000 megawatt hours (MWh) per year. If 1.5 MW of power is produced annually at the three sites, the total potential greenhouse gas reduction will be greater than 6,000 tonnes per year. Since the dams are already in place, no new water storage will be created, resulting in zero impact on upstream aquatic habitat. Downstream impacts will be limited to tailrace areas and will be mitigated through proper water management planning and construction techniques. Minimal in-water work is expected during construction; potential impacts will be mitigated through appropriate methods. The Conservation Authority plans to build an education component in the facilities with information on renewable energy sources and energy conservation. This study has replication potential both within the community and in other communities across Canada with suitable hydropower resources.