Ontario exploring new nuclear power plant east of Toronto

Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce announced the first steps toward building a new nuclear power plant one hour east of Toronto.

The province is exploring the possibility of developing a new nuclear power plant at Ontario Power Generation’s Wesleyville site near Port Hope, Ont. in an effort to “meet the rising demand for electricity.”

In a news release, the province said it asked OPG to “explore opportunities” for nuclear power generation at the site, located about 100 kilometres east of Toronto.

“With energy demand in Ontario set to increase by 75 per cent by 2050, we are doing the early engagement and development work now that will ensure the province has options to meet that growing demand,” Stephen Lecce, minister of energy and electrification, said in a news release.

“I’m excited to be continuing these conversations with Indigenous and municipal leaders to explore options for new nuclear generation at the Wesleyville site, including new good-paying jobs and other associated benefits.”

The Wesleyville location, the province said, is “well-suited to support a large new nuclear site.”

The site, the province said, is maintained by OPG and is located near existing transmission, road and railway infrastructure, and is already zoned for new electricity generation.

“According to the Conference Board of Canada, a potential nuclear development in Port Hope would also contribute $235 billion to Ontario’s GDP over an estimated 95-year project life, which includes design, construction, operation and maintenance,” the news release continued.

“It would also support 10,500 jobs across Ontario, including 1,700 new good-paying jobs in Port Hope, representing an average 15 to 20 per cent boost to overall employment levels in the local area.”

Ontario already operates three of the five nuclear power plants in Canada. Those sites are located in Pickering, Clarington and Kincardine.

The new site, the minister said, may have the capacity for up to 10,000 megawatts, which would make it one of the largest nuclear power generating stations around the world.

Lecce did not provide an estimate on the cost to build the site, saying that number will be determined by the scope and scale of the project.

Officials said OPG would start investigating environmental, health, and social impacts this year and although the minister did not provide many details on a timeline, officials said the province is eyeing construction to take place in the early to mid 2030s for operation in the mid 2040s.

“Looking at roughly a 10 to 15 year horizon when it comes to building,” Lecce told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday morning.

“We are not setting deadlines, we are not placing any of that on the community… we want this to be a meaningful engagement consultation which we are formally launching today.”