T1Clean Heat Central Utility Plant Decarbonization Project – Geoexchange Test Boreholes

Proposed Project: T1Clean Heat Central Utility Plant Decarbonization Project – Geoexchange Test Boreholes

This project involves the following:

As part of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority's (GTAA's) Toronto Pearson Airport Longterm Investment in Facilities & Terminals (LIFT) Program, GTAA is evaluating a geoexchange system to support the future decarbonization of heating and cooling systems at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The proposed project consists of constructing and testing three geothermal test boreholes on developed federal airport lands in the vicinity of the Central Utility Plant at 3255 Elmbank Road, Mississauga, Ontario which consisting of paved surfaces, utility areas, and previously disturbed lands.

The test-borehole program will evaluate drilling feasibility, subsurface conditions, ground thermal properties, thermal performance, and the constructability of deep vertical and angled geothermal boreholes. The information obtained through the program will support the design and environmental evaluation of a potential future geoexchange borefield.  The test boreholes are intended to remain in place following testing and, if confirmed to be suitable, may be incorporated into the future geoexchange system.

Project activities are expected to include:

  • Surveying and confirming the test-borehole locations
  • Utility locating and preparation of the drilling work areas
  • Mobilization and operation of geothermal drilling equipment
  • Drilling one vertical and two angled test boreholes
  • Installation of the polyethylene U-loops
  • Bottom-up placement of thermally enhanced grout
  • Pressure and flow testing of each installed U-loop
  • Completion of a 48-hour thermal-conductivity test on each borehole
  • Documentation of geological formations, groundwater conditions, drilling observations, and thermal-test results
  • Management of drilling water, cuttings, and other drilling materials
  • Demobilization and restoration of the affected work areas.

Several sustainability best practices will be incorporated into the projects design and implementation for the wider Toronto Pearson Airport Longterm Investment in Facilities & Terminals (LIFT) Program.

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Latest update

August 25, 2026 - The GTAA intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, the GTAA is inviting public comments until September 25, 2026 respecting that determination.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination - August 25, 2026

Contacts

Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)
Environmental Services
3111 Convair Drive
Toronto, Ontario L5P 1B2
Email: environment@gtaa.com


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Toronto Pearson International Airport (Ontario)

  • Nature of activity

    • Airport and Airfields

  • Assessment status

    In progress

  • Start date

    2026-08-25

  • Proponent

    Greater Toronto Airports Authority

  • Authorities

    • Greater Toronto Airports Authority

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    90724

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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