Ontario eyes new nuclear development
A 1,300-acre site left undeveloped on the shores of Lake Ontario four decades ago could see new life as the home to a large nuclear facility.
Ontario government officials have asked Ontario Power Generation to explore opportunities for nuclear development at its Wesleyville site in response to rising energy demands and interest from Port Hope and the Williams Treaties First Nations, according to a January 15 press release.
OPG’s predecessor, Ontario Hydro, started building an oil-fired facility at the site in the late 1970s, but the project stalled because of the 1979 oil shock and a recession, according to OPG. Since then, “OPG has taken great care of the site to ensure it is ready to go in the event Ontario needs to build a new power source,” according to the company’s website.
Wesleyville is already zoned for electricity development and is close to transmission lines. OPG estimates the site can host up to 10,000 megawatts of nuclear generation.
Quotable: “With energy demand in Ontario set to increase by 75 percent by 2050, we are doing the early engagement and development work now that will ensure the province has options to meet that growing demand,” said Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of energy and electrification. “I’m excited to be continuing these conversations with indigenous and municipal leaders to explore options for new nuclear generation . . . including new good-paying jobs and other associated benefits.”
Nicolle Butcher, president and chief executive of OPG, said, “We are committed to a transparent, thorough process with many opportunities for input, and to building strong relationships and partnerships with host communities, neighbors, and First Nations on whose traditional territory we operate.”
Port Hope mayor Olena Hankivsky said, “The Wesleyville site presents an important opportunity for the municipality of Port Hope, Williams Treaties First Nations, Ontario Power Generation, and the province of Ontario to explore clean energy solutions that address growing energy demands while supporting economic development and sustainability goals. We look forward to engagement with our community and partners to carefully evaluate the potential benefits of this initiative, including infrastructure improvements, job creation, and enhanced municipal revenues, as well as any potential challenges or impacts."
Investment and benefits: The company is partnering with the province of Ontario to begin a multiyear assessment of the site.
“This work will help identify a suitable generation technology and complete a range of impact assessment studies,” OPG said. “In addition to power, a new nuclear station at Wesleyville could generate important economic and associated benefits, including attracting coindustries to the site.”
The Conference Board of Canada estimates a nuclear development could contribute C$235 billion (approximately $163 billion) to Ontario’s GDP over a 95-year project life. It could also generate 10,500 jobs across the province, including 1,700 new jobs in Port Hope, adding up to 20 percent in job growth for the local area, OPG reports.
Nuclear currently provides more than half of Ontario’s electricity.
