In the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) new report, data shows that Ontario will need to grow by 75% by 2050. This would exceed the 17,800 MW target of new nuclear that was embedded in the IESO’s 2022 Pathways to Decarbonization Study.
Implementing proven nuclear solutions is imperative to meeting these needs, delivering on the goal to increase grid supply by 2035, all while reducing reliance on more costly and GHG emitting forms of generation.
For Ontario to meet its energy supply needs, proven and capable partners are required who have the ready-now technology to deliver reliable, cost-effective energy to the grid.
Proven, Ready-Now Technology
Ontario continues to strengthen its clean energy advantage through expansion of nuclear and large-scale reactors. With the province’s intention of building new greenfield nuclear generation facilities, Westinghouse’s advanced AP1000 reactors are the best solution to deliver on this vision within a decade.
Westinghouse’s AP1000 reactor is the only Generation III+ reactor currently in operation. There are six AP1000 reactors operating globally, eight more are under construction, and by the end of the decade, 18 units based on AP1000 technology will be in operation globally.
Westinghouse is confident the AP1000 reactor connection to the grid can occur by the mid-2030’s.
Choosing and deploying a proven technology is paramount to delivering energy to Ontario’s grid faster and at a lower cost than technologies that are still in development.
Increasing Ontario’s Competitiveness
Ontario has made global competitiveness in the energy sector a key priority to include both supply and export capabilities. Westinghouse has the market insights and technology to position Ontario as a lead exporter across Canada and the United States, and to do so quickly.
Ontario has one of the cleanest grids on the continent and continues to build on this ambition to generate more clean power as the population increases and manufacturing electrifies. Expanding nuclear technology to include advanced AP1000 reactors will position Ontario and Canada as a leader in clean energy throughout North America
Nuclear reactors using enriched uranium fuel is the leading technology in the world by a large margin. This includes the small modular reactor (SMR) deployment in Darlington, giving Ontario experience in managing this process. Westinghouse is confident that advanced nuclear fuel supply can become a strong competitive advantage for Ontario and is committed to working with the Canadian supply chain to harness new jobs and investment.
Injecting Support into Ontario
Westinghouse is a Canadian-owned company with a robust Ontario presence, including offices in Burlington, Kitchener, Port Elgin, and Peterborough that employ over 200 staff. With a newly opened global engineering and innovation hub in Kitchener, Westinghouse is also extending opportunity to the University of Waterloo’s extensive engineering talent pool by employing 100+ engineers and staff.
Deeply committed to the Ontario supply chain, Westinghouse has already worked with local suppliers on its AP1000 units, and with over 30 more set to be built globally, Westinghouse will provide Ontario firms the opportunity to contribute to these deployments and reap the benefits. This includes $900 million in supply chain support for each unit installed.
Through Westinghouse, Ontario’s strong and thriving manufacturing industries will gain increased access to a global market for large-scale nuclear. For each AP1000 unit built around the world, Westinghouse can generate nearly $1 billion in Canadian GDP through local suppliers.
As Westinghouse looks to support new nuclear builds in Ontario, Canada, and around the world, it is working with Ontario manufacturing companies like Curtiss-Wright Flow Nuclear Canada and E.S. Fox Ltd. to create local and global opportunities. This is deepening our embedment within local supply chains to ensure the economic benefit of Westinghouse is brought home to Canada.
The Solution for Meeting Ontario’s Energy Needs
Westinghouse is uniquely positioned to bring new large-scale nuclear power online within a decade. This will power clean energy exports, support economic development and competitiveness, and stimulate jobs and growth in communities across Ontario.
Westinghouse is the solution to Ontario’s increasing energy demand. And it is the only solution that is proven and ready now.
Paid for by Westinghouse Electric Company.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of Westinghouse Electric Company and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of iPolitics.