World’s largest nuclear facility could be built in Ontario with new $300M deal

The Ontario government is moving ahead on a cost-sharing agreement worth up to $300 million to advance the construction of a new nuclear generating station at the Bruce Power site in Kincardine, Ont., CP24 has learned.

The deal between the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) – the Crown corporation responsible for operating Ontario’s electricity market – and Bruce Power would lay the groundwork for the construction of the new facility, a project known as Bruce C.

The government says the deal is a “major step” toward a project that will eventually make the Bruce site the largest nuclear generating facility in the world. It would also be Ontario’s first large-scale nuclear project in over 30 years.

The agreement would help fund a variety of work, such as pre-construction and site preparation planning, workforce planning and engagement with First Nations and the wider community.

“The Bruce C project will advance generational employment creating 18,900 net-new jobs per year transforming Bruce Power into the world’s largest nuclear generating facility,” Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said.

The preparatory work, expected to be complete by 2030, would pave the way for the construction of the Bruce C facility, a proposed 4,800 megawatt (MW) nuclear generating station which the government says would provide enough electricity to power 4.8 million homes.

Currently, Bruce Power operates two generating stations – Bruce A and B – with a total of eight reactors. The total number of new reactors for Bruce C has not yet been determined.

The government says it is “committed” to engaging with First Nations com munities on the new facility.

The project still requires federal approvals to proceed. Work is currently underway on a federal Impact Assessment (IA), expected to be completed in 2028 and funded through a separate 2024 cost-sharing agreement between IESO and Bruce Power. The project also requires a site preparation licence from the federal Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

Nuclear power currently provides about 50 per cent of Ontario’s electricity supply. The Ford government has doubled down on nuclear power as part of its long-term energy strategy for the province, extending the life of existing nuclear facilities in Pickering and Darlington.