​Bruce Power, Ontario energy minister share vision for new nuclear, at World Nuclear Exhibition

Bruce Power took to the world stage today (Nov. 29), along with Ontario energy minister Todd Smith, at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris, France, to share progress on pre-development work to explore the option to advance large nuclear at the Bruce Power site - a key component of the Ontario government’s Powering Ontario’s Growth Plan.

Eric Chassard, Bruce Power’s executive vice-president of projects and engineering, and Pat Dalzell, executive director of corporate affairs, joined Smith in hosting an information session, detailing how the company is commencing Indigenous and public engagements and a long-term review to determine the feasibility of expanding nuclear generation on the Bruce Power site.

This includes pre-planning under the federal Impact Assessment (IA) process, as well as the launch of a Request for Information (RFI) process to evaluate potential new nuclear technologies in 2024.

“Our robust nuclear industry and supply chain have helped Ontario build one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world,” said Smith. “Now the world is watching what’s happening in Ontario when it comes to new nuclear development as we explore opportunities for new large nuclear at Bruce Power and advance our world-leading SMR (Small Modular Reactor) program.”

The World Nuclear Exhibition theme of “Connecting nuclear to the world: Rising to the energy and environmental challenges,” aligns closely with Bruce Power’s goals as it looks to support the province in its move to secure clean energy options at a time of historical growth in demand for electrification to stimulate the economy.

To this end, Bruce Power’s RFI process is a prudent step to further evaluate nuclear technologies. Bruce Power is undertaking this technology evaluation in parallel with the IA process, which will use a technology-neutral approach. By approaching the IA process in this manner, Bruce Power is able to consider multiple nuclear technologies and provide options to the province in its long-term electricity system planning.

“This technology evaluation is being done in parallel with our Bruce ‘C’ Impact Assessment, which will consider the option of adding up to 4,800 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity to complement our existing Bruce ‘A’ and Bruce ‘B’ units,” Dalzell said. “We’re in a unique position as one of the world’s largest nuclear operators in the midst of a Life-Extension Program to renew our existing units and now also explore opportunities for new nuclear on our existing site.

“We’re here to spread the message that nuclear is an integral part of a clean energy future in Ontario, Canada, and around the world, and that now is the time to invest in large projects that provide environmental and economic benefits.”

Before any final decision to proceed is made on a potential Bruce “C” project, long-term planning and open and transparent engagement with Indigenous communities and the broader region will be required, as well as a robust process building on lessons learned from Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program and the last 20 years of worldwide GEN3-plus nuclear power plant construction.

“The Bruce ‘C’ Impact Assessment will use a technology-neutral approach, meaning multiple technologies that meet specified parameters could be considered for deployment on the Bruce Power site if a decision to advance a new build project is made,” Chassard said. “There are a number of viable nuclear technologies to consider and we are starting this detailed and factual evaluation to begin the selection process to identify a technology that is the right fit for our site and for Ontario, including a focus on design maturity, constructability, reliability, lifecycle cost, risk, opportunities for local Indigenous communities, as well as social and economic benefits to our local region.”

Nuclear will play a key role in the supply mix as Canada works toward its Net-Zero 2050 climate goals.