Nuclear energy industry is thriving in Ontario

One of Ontario’s best-kept economic secrets is the positive impact of its thriving nuclear industry.

The nuclear sector generates 60 per cent of Ontario’s electricity, creates and sustains tens of thousands of jobs annually, and injects billions every year into Ontario’s economy through its vast supply chain. In fact, 90 per cent of spending on operational equipment, supplies, materials and labour income at Bruce Power – the world’s largest operating nuclear facility, located in Tiverton – remains in southern Ontario. And we’re just getting started. As you may have seen in the media over the past months, Bruce Power has started its Life-Extension Program, which will result in six of its eight reactors providing low-cost, carbon-free nuclear power to Ontarians through 2064. As part of the life extension, which is outlined in the Ministry of Energy’s Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP), Bruce Power will conduct its Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project, which itself will annually provide 5,000 jobs directly and indirectly annually, provide $980 million to $1.2 billion in labour income each year, and invest $751 million to $1.07 billion in Ontario’s economy through equipment, supplies, and materials, both directly and indirectly.

That means, over the next 40 years, we will be relying on businesses large and small across southern Ontario to help us safely operate our eight units, keeping electricity prices low for families and businesses, investing billions into our economy, and generating zero carbon emissions, keeping clean the air we breathe.

While we embarked on our Life-Extension Program on Jan. 1, 2016, with an eye toward our first MCR in 2020, we have begun signing longterm agreements with our most trusted partners in the nuclear supply chain. As you’ve likely seen, we’ve committed to spend $2 billion with Port Hope’s Cameco facility through 2030 for nuclear fuel and reactor components for all six of our MCR Projects.

Bruce Power’s commitment to delivering clean, reliable and low-cost nuclear power will provide a bright future for 700 people employed at Port Hope’s Cameco, as well as many others in Saskatchewan’s uranium mining industry.

In Peterborough, we recently signed a $34 million, five-year contract with BWXT Canada Ltd. to purchase seven primary heat transport motors, many of which will be replaced as part of our Life-Extension Program.

The scope of the contract includes the project management, engineering and manufacturing of these 11,000 horsepower motors. Work under this contract will commence immediately, with the first motor scheduled to be delivered to Bruce Power in mid2018, ensuring job stability for many highly skilled workers for the foreseeable future.

Bruce Power provides more than just 30 per cent of Ontario’s electricity at 30 per cent less than the cost to generate residential power. We help create strong and healthy communities, by investing billions annually into Ontario businesses, large and small. We give highly skilled people the job security they need to produce quality work, while encouraging them to develop innovative advancements for our industry.

You can count on Bruce Power and the nuclear industry to ensure your lights turn on with the flick of the switch and your air conditioner cools your family after an afternoon at the beach.

Bruce Power nuclear is there when your community needs us.