​Province gives new life to possibility of a Bruce “C” at Bruce Nuclear site in Kincardine

The prospect of a Bruce “C” generating station at the Bruce Nuclear site in Kincardine, is now a real possibility.

Wednesday morning, Ontario energy minister Todd Smith announced that the province is starting pre-development work to site the first large-scale nuclear build in more than three decades, to prepare for increasing electricity demand, to power electrification, and to fuel the province’s strong economic growth.

Bruce Power will start community consultations and conduct the Environmental Assessment (EA) for federal approval to determine the feasibility of siting up to 4,800 megawatts (MW) of new nuclear generation on the current site.

A huge crowd of Bruce Power workers, executives, suppliers, municipal officials and members of the media endured the heat and humidity at the Bruce Nuclear site, to hear the announcement.

“It’s great to be here in the Clean Energy Frontier,” said Smith. He was joined by Bruce Power president and chief executive officer Mike Rencheck, Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig, Saugeen Shores mayor Luke Charbonneau, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers.

“Our government’s open-for-business approach has led to unprecedented investments across the province, from electric vehicles and battery manufacturing, to critical minerals to green steel,” said Smith. “With our plan already in place to meet demand this decade, we are looking at options, including reliable, affordable and clean nuclear energy that will power our province into the future.”



Ontario energy minister Todd Smith announces that the province is starting pre-development work to site the first large-scale nuclear build at the Bruce Nuclear site, located in the Municipality of Kincardine; the announcement was made Wednesday morning at Bruce Power's administrative centre

Federal approval is the first step in a comprehensive process for approving and building new nuclear power generation projects, which could take a decade or longer.

A new nuclear station would create thousands of new jobs and generate billions of dollars in economic activity across the province for decades to come, said Smith, while helping to reduce emissions and further Ontario’s clean electricity advantage.

“What a great day,” said Rencheck. “This is so exciting, for Bruce Power and for Bruce County!

“Nuclear power has been the stable backbone of Ontario’s clean electricity system for decades and Bruce Power is ready to play an integral role in addressing the province’s clean energy needs, while supporting good jobs and economic prosperity for the future. We are advancing long-term planning and consultation activities to determine how the site can further contribute to Ontario’s clean energy and economic development goals.”

Bruce Power produces 30 per cent of Ontario’s electricity on fewer than 1,000 hectares of land with space for incremental infrastructure development while protecting the environment. Bruce Power is uniquely positioned, with over a half century of experience, a large body of environmental research, significant space for expansion, existing transmission corridors, strong community support, and an experienced workforce.

“Welcome to the Municipality of Kincardine,” said Craig. “I was 10 years old when this community heard about a construction project at Douglas Point. That was the start of the nuclear industry in what is now the Municipality of Kincardine.”

He said the nuclear plant has had a major effect on all the shoreline communities, including Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss and Saugeen Shores.

“This community has strong support for the nuclear industry,” he said. “With Bruce Power, the Ontario government and the community involved in this project, we’re better because we’re doing it together.”



Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig speaks to the crowd at the announcement Wednesday morning at Bruce Power; behind, is Ontario energy minister Todd Smith

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)’s “Pathways to Decarbonization” report forecasts the need to double the installed electricity capacity in the province to meet demand, while meeting emissions-reduction targets. Starting this long-term planning and consultation is prudent and proactive, said Smith.

“Bruce Power is a leader in producing clean, reliable energy for the people in Huron-Bruce and across the province,” said Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, agriculture minister. “The benefits of, and belief in, nuclear energy are truly generational in mid-western Ontario. These consultations are an integral step in facilitating further growth of our clean energy sector, creating good jobs close to home and ensuring Ontarians have an energy supply they can depend on.”



Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson speaks to the crowd at Bruce Power, during the announcement; with her, is Ontario energy minister Todd Smith

Ontario and Bruce Power are committed to continuing co-operation and engagement with both the Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation communities (Saugeen Ojibway Nation) when it comes to energy planning and future projects on their traditional territory.

The province will provide the support for Bruce Power to commence the planning and consultation work to meet federal regulatory requirements, and the process will be used as a planning and early engagement tool for potential future large infrastructure projects. The process will benefit from early community engagement and nearly 50 years of nuclear plant operation at the Bruce Power site with a well-understood, studied and verified environmental footprint.

The long-term planning and consultation activities will not impact Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program that will secure the site’s operation through 2064.

When asked if this new build would mean the refurbishment of the Pickering site was no longer needed, Smith said the operations at that site have been extended until the fall of 2026, allowing Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) time to do a feasibility study on refurbishing the site.

Not all eight units would be refurbished, he said, but enough to provide 2,200 MW of electricity to the grid, extending the life of that site by about 35 years.



Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig (left) talks with Ontario energy minister Todd Smith at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre

Earlier, when he was talking to Craig, Smith said he stayed overnight in Kincardine and went for a walk through the town and down to the lighthouse.

“It’s a beautiful town,” he said, “even with your downtown under construction.”

At the Kincardine council meeting Wednesday night, Craig told council about the announcement and the prospect of adding Bruce “C” to the nuclear site which is based in the Municipality of Kincardine.

“We have to look at our land inventory for housing and infrastructure,” he said. “With this announcement, the importance of that has skyrocketed.

“When construction begins on this new generating station, there will be an influx of 2,500 to 3,000 people working at the plant. We need to be prepared for that.”



Taking part in Wednesday's announcement, are Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Stephane Sarrazin (left), parliamentary assistant to the energy minister; Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig; Pat Dalzell, head of corporate affairs for Bruce Power; Ontario energy minister Todd Smith; Bruce Power president and CEO Mike Rencheck; Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, agriculture minister; and Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers