Strong Public Support for Made-in-Ontario Waterpower

October 27, 2025 – Peterborough, ON – The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) has released results from new public opinion polling conducted by Innovative Research Group, revealing strong support for waterpower across the province.

Conducted in March 2025, the poll shows that waterpower leads all energy technologies in public support, with more than eight in ten residents (81%) backing its use in Ontario’s electricity system. Support is consistent across all regions of the province.

Key findings include:

• 85% of residents believe the government should consider the long-term when deciding which electricity projects to invest in, including how often they need to be rebuilt – not just the initial cost.
• 84% of residents agree the government should consider the broader public benefits of waterpower, such as flood control and recreation, when deciding on which electricity projects to invest in.
• 80% of residents support building new transmission lines in Northern Ontario to enable more waterpower development.

According to the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Annual Planning Outlook (2025), Ontario’s energy demand is expected to rise by 75% by 2050, marking a period of significant growth for the province’s energy system.

“Ontario must build as much generation and transmission in the next three decades as it did in the last century,” said Paul Norris, President of the Ontario Waterpower Association. “This is an unprecedented time to advance waterpower as a key part of the solution to our growing energy needs and economic development goals. Residents recognize the lasting value of our waterpower assets, which are reliable resources that keep investment at home and serve the province for generations.”

Ontario’s 224 waterpower facilities supply roughly one-quarter of the province’s electricity needs. More than 40 of these generating stations have been in operation for over a century. Through ongoing refurbishments and technology upgrades, these facilities continue to operate more efficiently with extended lifespans.

Approximately 3,000–4,000 MW of new waterpower potential has been identified, much of which is in Northern Ontario. To reflect this opportunity, the poll intentionally oversampled Northern Ontario residents to better capture perspectives from the region where most of the province’s untapped potential exists. Residents expressed strong support for building transmission infrastructure that can connect new waterpower developments fostering local economic opportunities and Indigenous partnerships.

“This report confirms widespread support for waterpower and the investments needed to strengthen the grid and ensure sustainable growth,” added Norris. “Reliability, long-term thinking, and strategic investment are clear priorities for Ontarians.”

Read the report here…

About OWA

The OWA is a not-for-profit, member-based organization promoting the sustainable development of waterpower resources in Ontario. Since 2001, the OWA has been representing the common and collective interests of the waterpower industry.

For more information on the Ontario Waterpower Association, visit www.owa.ca.

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