As Canada anticipates a doubling of electricity demand over the next 25 years, Ontario, under Premier Doug Ford’s government, is gearing up for a substantial expansion of nuclear energy to meet this surge in power needs.
Several key factors are driving this demand, including the auto industry’s shift to electric vehicles and increased pressure on industries to reduce carbon emissions. This sets the stage for what could become Canada’s most significant nuclear power expansion, a long-term project with potential costs reaching into the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Recent actions by the Ford government signal their commitment to this endeavor:
- Bruce Power, already the world’s largest nuclear generating station, is slated for nearly a doubling of production.
- Plans have been unveiled to introduce three additional small modular reactors (SMRs) alongside the one already in progress at Darlington. Collectively, these reactors could supply power to 1.2 million homes.
- Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has submitted a feasibility study for refurbishing Pickering, Canada’s oldest operational nuclear power plant.
Energy Minister Todd Smith emphasizes that expanding nuclear production is essential to meet Ontario’s increasing electricity requirements. He underscores nuclear power’s reliability and emissions-free nature, describing it as the best method to ensure a consistent power supply.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shares this sentiment, stressing the need for increased nuclear power to support clean electricity for Canada’s growing industrial sector. Trudeau’s government is offering investment tax credits for emissions-free electricity systems, including nuclear power.
Currently, nuclear plants contribute over half of Ontario’s electricity supply, with hydro dams providing a quarter, while gas-fired power plants and wind farms make up the remainder. The province argues for expanding nuclear power in multiple reports released in recent months.
The Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) envisions constructing 17,800 megawatts of new nuclear power, equivalent to building another Bruce nuclear plant, two Darlingtons, and an additional Pickering. While the exact cost and extent of this expansion are yet to be determined, the IESO estimates a $400 billion investment by 2050 to make the grid carbon-neutral, requiring about 60,000 megawatts of total capacity.
Critics, such as Mark Winfield of York University, emphasize the need to explore alternatives seriously. They argue that an exclusive focus on nuclear power constitutes a costly and high-risk pathway, given rapidly advancing clean electricity technologies. Concerns about the long-term implications, especially nuclear waste disposal, are raised.
Despite the ongoing debate, Ontario sees nuclear energy as the key to achieving its clean energy goals and providing a reliable and sustainable power source for decades to come. The next significant decision will be whether to refurbish four of Pickering’s nuclear reactor units, a move that would further shape Ontario’s nuclear future.
