Support of province’s policy goals, advancing nuclear medicine and health care, highlighted in inaugural Ontario Energy Report

While there are many discussions and vocal debates underway throughout Canada and the around the World about the challenges with tackling climate change and economic factors, we can’t lose sight that the work we are doing within Ontario’s nuclear industry is right in front of us and demonstrating both goals and aspirations can be achieved.

It’s an exciting time for Bruce Power and the people working on our site, including our employees, contractors and suppliers. We’re almost three months into the refurbishment of our Unit 6 nuclear reactor, the first phase of our Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project that will see six of the eight reactors refurbished so Bruce Power can continue to provide Ontario with carbon-free, affordable and reliable electricity through 2064.

Sometimes we take for granted the significant impact that what we’re doing in our rural corner of Ontario has not only on the province, but across Canada and internationally. Bruce Power is helping Ontario achieve a number of important policy goals and at the same time we’re using innovation to advance nuclear medicine and human health.

That impact that Bruce Power has on the economy, the environment and health care is detailed in the Ontario Energy Report, which was published by Bruce Power and released in last month when Mike Rencheck, our President and CEO, spoke to the Toronto Region Board of Trade. The Report spells out our role in meeting Ontario’s demand for electricity, walks the reader through her/his monthly electrical bill and also details our involvement in eliminating coal in Ontario and lending a hand to health care around the world through the production of medical isotopes.

Highlights of the report include;

• Nuclear continues to be the workhorse for the province, meeting 61 per cent of Ontario’s electricity needs in 2019;
• Nuclear also helps Quebec, which relies on hydroelectricity to meet its needs during the cold winter months. Last January, Ontario provided Quebec with more than 400 gigwatt hours (GWhs) to support its winter demand for power;
• Ontario’s residential electricity rates rank among the lowest in developed countries and almost 30 per cent below the 2018 world average of 17.33 cents/kWh. This is largely due to Ontario’s nuclear fleet, which is a key contributor for keeping down prices.

The report details Ontario’s leadership role as the first jurisdiction in North America to lead the way in ending its use of coal-fired electricity – a milestone that was achieved in 2014. Nuclear power has contributed immensely to a decrease in smog days across the province, from 53 in 2005 to zero in 2019.

Ontario is a unique energy market from a demand perspective because of its dual peaking nature. That comes as no surprise to those of us who live in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties – we know quite well that demand for electricity is at its highest in the winter and summer. For Ontario to be self-sufficient, it needs a unique mix of wind, solar, hydro, natural gas and nuclear to meet its highest demand days, and reliable enough to provide 24/7 power.

We’re also excited about our expanding role in the production of medical isotopes, especially around the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Thorough our collaborative efforts with several businesses, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council, Bruce Power is committed to supporting innovation that will result in making people’s lives better not only in our own backyard, but in countries all around the world.

A full copy of the Report can be found at: https://www.brucepower.com/resources/publications/