Centre spokesman Ted Gruetzner said the deal gives the green light to construction of the power plant, which is scheduled to be running at about half of its projected 550-megawatt generation in June, 2008, and fully operational the following summer.
Mayor David Miller said yesterday the city is powerless to stop the project: ''The province has a law that removes this from municipal jurisdiction -- it's their choice.''
The natural gas plant, which was a hotly contested issue in March's provincial byelection in the Toronto-Danforth riding, is touted as "one of the cleanest burning gas plants you can get" by Portlands officials.
Councillor Paula Fletcher, a vocal critic of the project slated for her east-end ward, said the 550-megawatt gas-fired power plant is "pathetic" and does not serve Toronto's best interests.
Ms. Fletcher said the city does not need a power plant, noting a moderate conservation campaign reduced Toronto's energy load over the past summer.
"Imagine what the conservation program could be with $700-million, or even half of it," Ms. Fletcher said. "Rather than lowering the demand on the grid, this approach is simply to add more megaprojects to the city. This isn't how Torontonians operate.
"There's too many guys sitting around two big tables who are not out in the real world and not listening to the community. These guys are not in 2006, they're in 1956."
Ms. Fletcher and Mr. Miller said they want details of the contract released: "I'd like to see everything come out," said the Mayor. "I think it's very important for the public to know."
Mr. Miller said he would prefer the new generating station be built inside the mothballed Hearn facility next door to the Portlands site.
Mr. Gruetzner acknowledges the community is concerned about the plant's potential environmental impact. However, he said computer modelling showed the plant's nitrogen oxide byproduct emissions fall about a quarter below required government regulations.
Mr. Gruetzner said the necessary environmental assessments have been completed, and that the Portlands centre will work with the Ministry of Environment during the start-up to show neighbours the plant will be up to environmental standards. "We're hoping to work with [the community] and show them that we can be good neighbours."
Matt Kellway, co-chair of the Toronto Energy Coalition, vowed to continue opposing construction of the plant.