Overview
GTAA Cogeneration is a 90 MW gas-fired power plant in Ontario, Canada, operated by Cartier Énergie. It provides electricity and thermal energy to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.
GTAA Cogeneration is a natural gas-fired power plant located in Ontario, Canada, with a capacity of 90 megawatts. The facility is owned by Cartier Énergie and serves the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, providing both electricity and thermal energy for airport operations. As a cogeneration plant, it achieves higher efficiency by capturing waste heat for heating purposes. The plant operates under Canada's federal and provincial environmental regulations, including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and Ontario's Emission Performance Standards. Natural gas is a lower-carbon fossil fuel compared to coal, but the facility still manages emissions of CO2, NOx, and other pollutants. The 90 MW capacity places it in the medium-scale range for gas power plants in Canada. GTAA Cogeneration plays a key role in supporting the energy needs of one of Canada's busiest airports. By providing reliable on-site power and heat, it enhances energy security and reduces transmission losses. The facility contributes to the region's energy mix while aligning with broader efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources.
Environmental context
The plant uses natural gas, which emits less CO2 per unit of electricity than coal but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location near a major airport and urban area means emissions are subject to local air quality regulations. The cogeneration design improves overall efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and emissions compared to separate heat and power generation.
Frequently asked questions
GTAA Cogeneration is located in Ontario, Canada, near the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) facilities.
GTAA Cogeneration has a capacity of 90 megawatts (MW).
GTAA Cogeneration is owned by Cartier Énergie, a Canadian energy company.
Gas power plants in Canada must comply with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) and provincial regulations such as Ontario's Emission Performance Standards, which set limits on pollutants like NOx and SO2.
Cogeneration, or combined heat and power (CHP), increases overall efficiency by capturing waste heat for thermal use, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to separate electricity and heat generation.