Ontario ‘hitting the jackpot’ with huge power plant announcement: Clarington mayor

The possibility of Ontario adding three new power plants – including one in Port Hope, just east of the Darlington nuclear plant – has Clarington Mayor Adrian excited about the province “hitting the jackpot” with its energy future.

“I am thrilled the provincial government has tasked Ontario Power Generation with bringing new power generation to Ontario,” he said following Energy Minister Steven Lecce’s announcement that the province is eying three new electricity generating sites – including the option of large-scale nuclear power plants.

“We know the impact of a thriving clean energy sector. I’m excited for OPG’s continued success, innovation, and economic growth. This new energy production will create thousands of jobs and inject billions into Ontario’s economy,” Foster said. “We’re pioneering small modular reactor development, favoured for fusion technology, and strategically positioned amidst key refurbishment projects and future energy sites.”

“Let’s raise the stakes on Darlington’s SMRs by adding a full-scale nuclear reactor project. Ontario’s residents will hit the jackpot if the province and OPG up the ante.”

Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster

Lecce says the province is on track to meet skyrocketing electricity demands through to 2035, but after that Ontario needs to secure more power for the future, especially with the Independent Electricity System Operator declaring demand will spike 75 per cent by 2050.

The province is looking to three sites that are owned by OPG and already zoned for electricity generation – Nanticoke in Haldimand County, Lambton in St. Clair and Wesleyville in Port Hope.

Lecce is tasking OPG with starting discussions with the municipalities and First Nation communities about putting various forms of electricity generation on the sites, including nuclear or gas plants.

Clarington is expected to benefit from plenty of spin-off business if the Wesleyville site – located just a few kilometres east of the Durham Region-Northumberland County border – is approved.

Nearby Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is a four-unit facility responsible for generating more than 20 per cent of Ontario’s electricity needs. The plant is currently three-quarters of the way through a $12.8 billion refurbishment, with Unit 1 coming online in early November months ahead of schedule. It is the third of four units to be refurbished, with project expected to be complete by 2026.

OPG is also building four small modular reactors at Darlington, with the SMRs expected to produce enough power to light up 1.2 million homes.