about

Swift River Energy Limited (SREL) is a privately held company established in 2004 with the purpose of building, operating, and maintaining the Bala Generating Station (Bala GS), a 4.7-MW run of river hydroelectric power facility adjacent to the North Bala Dam on the Moon River in the village of Bala, Ontario. The North Bala Dam, along with the neighbouring South Bala Dam is owned by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and maintained by SREL.

SREL is a subsidiary of the Horizon Legacy Group, a privately held company with over 7 decades of experience building, financing, and operating long term infrastructure and renewable energy projects in Canada, US and Europe.  Horizon Legacy is working to help achieve 'net zero' green house gas emissions by 2050, as outlined by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Benefits

• A new scenic lookout to the Moon River;

• Improved fish habitat and management of water levels;

• Creation of local jobs;

• A new park for Bala, adjacent to the powerhouse;

• $305,000 of land rent paid to the Township of Muskoka Lakes;

• Water tax paid to the province of Ontario;

• A stronger, more stable electrical grid;

• Millions of dollars injected into the region from construction activities;

• More parking spots along highway 169;

• Annually offset 20,000 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to 3,888 cars and light trucks off the road.

construction

The project began construction in 2017 and took 2 years to complete. The activities consisted of the excavation of an approach channel, the installation of an intake leading to a powerhouse and a tailrace returning water to the Moon River immediately downstream of the dam. The arrangement is based on a gross head of approximately 6.2 m, which is provided by the existing dam at the site. There were no structural changes made to the North Dam.

operations

The Bala GS began operating in Jan 2020. The power plant is being operated out of Bala and consists of two operators and a stop logging team team to manage the flows at the North and South Dam. SREL works closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as well as Ontario Power Generation.

Electricity from the power plant supplies the local grid in Muskoka. The power is produced and consumed locally. The power plant is expected to have a life of at least 40 years. Many hydro plants across Canada operate for 60-100 years.

Affiliations

Consistent with our values of collaboration, transparency and being a responsible member of the community, SREL is a supporter and active participant with the following organizations:

• Signatory to the Muskoka River Water Management Plan

• Member of the MRWMP Standing Advisory Committee to work with the public and other stakeholders in responsible management of the Mukoka River Watershed. Read more about Standing Advisory Committees, why they exist and how they help stakeholders work together to manage watersheds.

• Member of the Ontario Water Power Association, a not-for-profit organization promoting the sustainable development of water power in Ontario.

• Member of the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, an organization with a mission to improve economic prosperity in the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

We also work closely under the guidance and direction of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and coordinate closely with Ontario Power Generation to maintain water levels in and downstream of Lake Muskoka.

Contributors

Construction of the the Bala GS was made possible by the expertise, steadfast support, and invaluable contribution of many organizations and partners. Below are some of the organizations that helped us along the way. Many more unnamed deserve equal recognition and thanks.

CRT Construction, Hydro ECI, Hydro One Networks, KGS Group, Mavel, McGhee Krizsan Engineering Limited, Stevens Burgess Architects Ltd, WSP Canada, and many more.

approvals

The process of obtaining environmental studies and approvals for a hydro electric project in Canada is extensive and rigorous.  The approvals for the Bala GS took nearly 10 years to complete.  Approvals fall under a number of provincial and federal regulatory and permitting requirements.  A number of other land use licenses and permits have also been obtained.  

• MOE environmental screening / federal environmental screening

• Transport Canada - Approval under Section 5(1) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act

• MNR - Work Permit

• MNR LRIA - Location Approval

• MOE - Permit to take water

• MNR - License of Occupation

• OPA - Notice to Proceed

• MOE - Environmental Compliance Approval

• District of Muskoka - Municipal District Access Permit

documents

Notice of Completion for the Project (under O.Reg. 116/01) was declared on October 9, 2009 at which time the Environmental Screening Review/Report (ESRR) was made available to agencies, aboriginal communities, stakeholders and the public for comments. The mandated 30 day review was extended voluntarily by Swift River to 44 days. It has been broken down into individual sections and appendices to facilitate downloading over the internet.