Plans for 80-acre green energy project in Ramara drew both support and criticism this week as developers presented vision for 24.5-megawatt solar installation
The proposed $40-million Gwanaajiwi Giizis Solar LP project in Ramara Township drew a mix of interest, skepticism and concern at a public meeting Tuesday evening at the Ramona Community Hall.
The open house, held from 6 to 8 p.m., focused on a 24.5-megawatt solar project planned for two properties — 1952 and 1992 Fairgrounds Rd. — jointly developed by Rama First Nation and the Orillia Power Generation Corporation (OPGC). The installation would cover roughly 80 acres of the combined 180- to 190-acre site.
Paul Young, vice-president of OPGC, said the initiative is still in the early stages.
“We have to bid our price into the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), and it’s a competitive process,” he explained. “We may or may not win at this stage. We’re just doing our due diligence and getting some municipal support, which we will do again in October, and we won’t know until the first quarter (of) 2026 whether we’re successful or not.”
Young says several residents in attendance expressed skepticism. Some opponents claim the project would primarily serve Orillia’s power needs, not the Washago community’s.
Others questioned potential impacts on water, wildlife, tree cover, and soil, as well as the long-term replacement and recycling of the panels, which they argued would come long before their 25-year life span.
Some also warned of heavy dust along McArthur Sideroad, which they said “will never be a paved road,” and predicted property values would “decrease significantly” as a result of the development.
Young acknowledged there were residents present “who are against green energy in general” and who objected to using rural land for solar projects. He responded that the parcels in question are not prime agricultural land, but “Class 5 to 7 agricultural,” which is rocky and unsuitable for commercial farming.
Concerns about glare were addressed by noting the use of non-glare panels and plans to plant a full tree line around the perimeter.
“You probably won’t see anything once the trees are grown,” Young said.
If successful in the bidding process, Young said the project would bring both provincial and local benefits.
“We have a shortage of electricity and particularly a shortage of green electricity,” he said. “This should help the shortage, and it should help the greenhouse gas emissions of our electrical systems.”
He projected significant local employment during the construction phase, along with some long-term operational and maintenance positions.
Additionally, the developers hope to create a walking trail around the site, with educational signage about green energy and traditional medicinal plants, an initiative supported by Rama First Nation.
Young emphasized a variety of other community benefits are under discussion but will not be finalized unless the bid is awarded.
Preliminary woodland studies have been conducted, identifying wetlands and stream areas on the site.
“You have to set back X number of metres,” Young said. “We were able to move completely away from all the wetlands and all the areas that were identified by our consultant.”
If approved, the project would move into detailed environmental assessments, glare and sightline studies, and traffic impact analyses. Young noted the planned construction route and site access would be via Coopers Falls Road to McArthur Sideroad, in part to avoid Fairgrounds Road, which has more residential properties.
Melissa Gowanlock, the township’s manager of communications and community engagement, confirmed the project first came before Ramara council on July 21.
“At this meeting, committee of the whole supported the request for a municipal support resolution (which is a requirement under the IESO’s request for proposals process) and encouraged community consultation,” she said. “The recommendation for support will be considered for ratification by council at the Aug. 25, 2025, council meeting.”
If the project is accepted into the IESO program, Gowanlock said it would still require a zoning bylaw amendment, since renewable energy facilities are not currently permitted in any zone.
“This public process will include a public meeting of council, notice to property owners within 120 metres, posted signage, and review of site suitability, environmental studies, archeological assessments, stormwater and traffic impacts,” she said.
“Large-scale renewable projects would also be subject to site-plan approval, with requirements for siting, screening, and environmental protection outlined in the township’s Official Plan.”
Young confirmed the municipal support resolution is “very broad” and does not authorize construction.
“It basically says the municipality doesn’t object to the concept, as long as all the approvals are done and all the Is are dotted and Ts are crossed,” he said.
Even with council support and a successful IESO bid, the project’s timeline would be extensive. The proponents anticipate spending 2026 through 2028 on approvals, studies, and detailed engineering, with construction expected to take about eight months. Operations would likely begin in 2029.
Young acknowledged the uncertainty.
“The township has another chance to cancel this whole thing if they don’t give us the zoning amendments that we need,” he said. “So, there’s quite a bit more to go.”