Ontario Power Authority Enters $365M Generation Facility Contract with York Energy Centre

The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) signed a 20-year Peaking Generation Contract with York Energy Centre LP on December 19, 2008 to design, build and operate a 393 megawatt (MW) electricity generating station, on Dufferin Street in the Township of King, with an estimated capital cost of $365 million. York Energy Centre LP is owned jointly by Pristine Power Inc. and an affiliate of Harbert Power. This simple-cycle, natural gas plant will address the need for clean, reliable and secure power in one of the fastest-growing regions in Ontario. The contract was entered into pursuant to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for approximately 350 MW of Peaking Generation in Northern York Region issued by the OPA on July 31, 2008 following a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued by the OPA on January 31, 2008. The OPA received six proposals in response to the RFP.

Aird & Berlis LLP acted as external legal advisors to the OPA on all aspects of the RFQ, the RFP and the contract with a team led by Ron Clark and including Don Johnston, Ken Clark, Corrine Kennedy (RFQ, RFP and contract); Denis Chamberland (procurement); Randy Hooke (real estate); John Mascarin (municipal) and Margaret Nelligan (corporate).

York Energy Centre LP was advised by Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP with a team led by Rocco Sebastiano and consisting of Richard Wong, Jake Sadikman and Elliot Smith (proposal and contract); Michael Bowman (municipal); Adrian Hartog (real estate); Robert Beaumont (construction) and Neil Herle (corporate structuring).