Ontario Exploring New Nuclear Energy Generation in Port Hope

January 15, 2025

Beamsville – The Ontario government has asked Ontario Power Generation to explore opportunities for new nuclear energy generation at their Wesleyville site, following expressions of interest from the Municipality of Port Hope and the Williams Treaties First Nations. Ontario Power Generation will work with local communities to determine support as the province seeks to expand generation to meet the rising demand for electricity.

“This expression of interest to generate more power is great news for Ontario,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“As our government invests $1 billion to refurbish our hydroelectric generating stations in Niagara and continues discussions regarding existing sites in Port Hope, Haldimand County and St. Clair, we are taking an all-of-the-above approach, leading the largest expansion of electricity generation in more than thirty years.”

“With energy demand in Ontario set to increase by seventy-five 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 Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification.

“I am excited to be continuing these conversations with Indigenous and municipal leaders to explore options for new nuclear generation at the Wesleyville site, including new good-paying jobs and other associated benefits.”

The Wesleyville site, which is maintained by Ontario Power Generation, located near existing transmission, road and railway infrastructure, and already zoned for new electricity generation, is well-suited to support a large new nuclear site. Based on early assessments by Ontario Power Generation, this site could host up to 10,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation, which could power the equivalent of 10 million homes.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, a potential nuclear development in Port Hope would also contribute $235 billion to Ontario’s Gross Domestic Product over an estimated ninety-five-year project life, which includes design, construction, operation, and maintenance. It would also support 10,500 jobs across Ontario, including 1,700 new good-paying jobs in Port Hope, representing an average fifteen to twenty percent boost to overall employment levels in the local area.

Following active engagement with community leaders by Minister Lecce and Ontario Power Generation, the Council of the Municipality of Port Hope unanimously passed a motion on December 17, 2024, endorsing continued engagement with Ontario Power Generation and the Ministry of Energy and Electrification on the potential for new energy generation at the Wesleyville Site.

To support continued engagement, the Ontario government announced that Ontario Power Generation will provide the Williams Treaties First Nations with capacity funding and an opportunity for equity participation in any generation project. The province also announced immediate funding of $1 million for the Municipality of Port Hope to support early growth readiness, assessment of planning and infrastructure requirements, and to meet consultation requirements. As part of a milestone-based process, leading toward the development of a Host Municipal Agreement, Port Hope could also access up to $30 million of funding for associated infrastructure investments and to attract co-located industries.

The potential nuclear build would also allow local communities to benefit from additional co-located industry and supply chain spending. The Municipality of Port Hope would also benefit from increased municipal property taxes from the station, which according to the Conference Board of Canada are estimated to be $10.5 million annually.

Developing options for new energy generation is just one part of Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power.