Atura Power, Canada: Advancing Ontario’s energy transition

Atura Power is driving Ontario’s clean energy transition by upgrading its Halton Hills Generating Station. Through a strategic partnership with Siemens Energy, the company implemented advanced thermal performance upgrades to boost efficiency and deliver greater power output. 

Complementing these upgrades, Atura Power successfully tested hydrogen cofiring, blending hydrogen into the natural gas stream. These initiatives position the facility for a future powered by sustainable energy solutions.

Ontario’s energy system is evolving to meet future demands, with electricity consumption expected to increase by 75% by 2050 and a growing emphasis on renewable sources. Atura Power, a key contributor to the province’s energy landscape, identified the opportunity to enhance the performance of its Halton Hills Generating Station—a 710 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle facility west of Toronto—to support both immediate reliability and long-term decarbonization objectives.

Rather than pursuing isolated improvements, Atura Power developed a comprehensive strategy to enhance the performance of its existing assets while exploring clean fuel integration. This approach led to the implementation of two distinct but aligned solutions: the Siemens Energy FX ATEP thermal performance upgrade, and a pioneering hydrogen co-firing test. 

To increase power output and improve fuel efficiency, Atura Power first partnered with Siemens Energy to upgrade the plant’s two 501 F-class gas turbines with the FX ATEP thermal performance package. This upgrade improved thermal performance and reduced natural gas consumption, all without requiring significant changes to the plant’s footprint.

In addition, Atura Power and Siemens Energy conducted hydrogen co-firing testing, blending hydrogen into the natural gas stream and demonstrating the plant’s ability to operate safely, reliably, and efficiently with cleaner fuels. Siemens Energy provided combustion specialists, remote monitoring, and technical support to ensure seamless execution.

The FX ATEP upgrades at Halton Hills Generating Station delivered a combined output increase of up to 42 megawatts, allowing for greater power generation during peak demand. Efficiency gains were achieved through reduced natural gas consumption per megawatt produced, lowering both operational costs and emissions.

The hydrogen co-firing test successfully blended up to 15% hydrogen by volume into the natural gas stream, demonstrating the facility’s ability to operate safely and efficiently with cleaner fuels. This milestone positions Atura Power to meet evolving environmental standards and reinforces its role as a flexible, future-ready energy provider committed to sustainability and innovation.

Together, these initiatives reflect Atura Power’s commitment to supporting Ontario’s energy transition while preparing its infrastructure for the future. This project was supported by the financial contribution of the Independent Electricity System Operator.