OPG Supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• Nuclear stations are best known for their ability to generate abundant quantities of clean and reliable energy for millions of homes and businesses. A lesser-known function of Ontario’s nuclear reactors is their ability to produce many isotopes, including critical medical isotopes, that directly result in millions of people around the world enjoying a healthier and safer quality of life.
• For more than 50 years, OPG’s Pickering Nuclear GS has supplied the world with Cobalt-60 (Co-60), an isotope used to sterilize about 40% of all single-use medical devices, such as syringes, gloves, implants, and surgical instruments.
• Today, Pickering Nuclear’s Units 5 to 8 provide about 20% of the world’s supply of Co-60, making Ontario one of the leading sources of this important product.
• In addition to the existing work being done on Co-60 at the Pickering GS, OPG has started work on installing Co-60 capabilities in all four units at Darlington Nuclear GS. The first Co-60 harvest out of Darlington is expected in the late 2020s, with average annual yields expected to be close to double that of Pickering, helping to address a growing global need for sterilization.
• In addition to Co-60, nuclear generation also produces heavy water, or deuterium oxide, as well as tritium, a by-product of CANDU reactor operation. Deuterium oxide is an isotopic form of water that can be used to enhance medical imaging and help pharmaceuticals last longer in the bloodstream. It is essential for the continued CANDU fission process, and it is also a component used in every smartphone.
• OPG’s subsidiary, Laurentis Energy Partners (LEP), is leading the way in isotope innovation. In 2022, LEP increased production of high-purity Helium-3 (He-3) to meet global demand. The He-3 is extracted from tritium stored at OPG’s Darlington station. LEP is also working with BWXT Medical Ltd. to harvest Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) from Darlington’s Unit 2, making Darlington the only commercial-scale reactor in the world to produce this critical product. Mo-99 is a parent isotope of Technetium-99m, one of the most prevalent diagnostic imaging agents in nuclear medicine. Technetium-99m is used on skeletal, brain, and organ imaging to detect and diagnose cancer and various diseases.
• In 2022, the major milestone of system energization at Darlington was achieved, enabling preliminary testing of the partially installed system. Installation continued in Q4 2022 and in 2023, the team will progress with planned commissioning and preparation activities for commercial production of Mo-99, pending completion of validation runs and approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada. Once operational, the arrangement between LEP and BWXT will be capable of producing enough Mo-99 to supply a significant portion of the current and future North American demand for this important diagnostic imaging radioisotope.
• OPG promoted mental health and well-being in various ways, including through partnering with Construction Safety Research Alliance and Construction Industry Institute on a mental health research project, and through an initiative with #ConvoPlate, where a conversation plate travelled to each part of the province to prompt conversations around mental health, sparking more than 800 conversations over the year.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• In 2022, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario’s Indigenous Youth Summer Literacy Program operated by United for Literacy (formerly Frontier College), with support from OPG, was able to provide 500 kits to students in Kindergarten to Grade 9 from Whitesand, Wabaseemoong, Moose Cree, and Mattagami First Nations. The kits included a new book, workbooks, crafts, and other fun learning activities to build reading, writing, and math skills.
• OPG was a leading sponsor for the Ontario Science Centre’s new exhibit, Indigenous Ingenuity, which ran from October 2022 to April 2023. This interactive exhibit shone a light on the many scientific contributions that Indigenous peoples have made to society, and celebrated culture and history.
• Ontario Tech University’s 2022 Turtle Island Summer Camp hosted more than 35 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth ages 9-13. This Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) based camp is designed to uncover and explore the relationship between STEAM, Indigenous peoples, and the land. Campers participated in a weeklong journey exploring STEAM while making connections between STEAM and Indigenous knowledge, to better understand their responsibility as stewards of the environment. OPG was proud to co-sponsor this innovative camp program.
• OPG is continuing to support promising Indigenous students through the John Wesley Beaver Memorial Scholarships (JWBMS). In January 2021, OPG signed a three-year agreement with Indspire to assume administration of the annual scholarships, an investment that was matched by the Government of Canada. In 2022, a total of six JWBMS were awarded in support of Indigenous students studying in the areas of administration, computer programming, computer, chemical and civil engineering, as well as law. Since 2021, a total of 12 JWBMS have been awarded.
• OPG continues to take active steps to support equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) within and beyond the energy sector, including in host communities. In 2022, OPG created a specialized recruitment team to focus on building and maintaining partnerships with community organizations that support equity-seeking individuals. Similarly, the company continues to invest with partners to build long-term candidate pools and pipelines, such as in the case of continued investments in education programs at Ontario Tech University and Durham College, and with community partner, the BlackNorth Initiative.
• OPG’s Corporate Citizenship Program (CCP) is focused on giving in several focus areas, including education. Some CCP community investment highlights from 2022 include 243 student awards/scholarships and 41 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiatives.
• Since 2001, FIRST Robotics Canada (FRC) has been engaging with young people in exciting mentor-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs, including the FIRST Robotics Competition for students in Grades 9 to 12. Student teams design, program, and build a robot starting with a standard kit of parts and common set of rules to play in a themed head-to-head robotics challenge competition. Teams also build a brand, develop community partnerships for mentoring and financial support, and work to promote such programming in their local communities. OPG is proud of its founding and on-going annual partnership with FRC. This includes mentoring and sponsorship support of Secondary School Robotics Teams in our host communities, along with being a Gold Sponsor at the annual Ontario Regional Competitions and Provincial Championship. We believe it is important to partner with organizations like FRC that are inspiring young people to build STEM skills and foster well-rounded life capabilities to become the leaders and innovators we need in Ontario and around the world. Of note, 78% of FRC alumni are in a STEM field as a student or professional.
• In 2022, OPG sites across Ontario supported the Canadian Peregrine Foundation’s Project School Visit environmental education program for primary students. The program is designed to tie in with the Ontario science curriculum, with an emphasis on habitats, ecosystems, the diversity of living things, and flight. It promotes an understanding of the peregrine falcon and other birds of prey, and the importance of environmental stewardship, wildlife, and habitat conservation, helping to inspire the next generation of environmental guardians. With OPG’s support, more than 70 schools and 14,000 students in our host communities benefitted from learning about and seeing a peregrine falcon. The peregrine falcon is best known for its speed during flight, which can reach more than 300 km during a dive, making it not only the world’s fastest bird but also the world’s fastest animal.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• A major commitment we are working toward is to become a global equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) leader by 2030. We know to achieve our sustainability and climate change goals, we will need to rely on a diverse workforce that is welcoming of a wide range of ideas, skills, and backgrounds. To build this workforce, in 2022, we continued to offer ED&I training and education to employees.
• OPG’s 10-year ED&I Strategy (the Strategy), launched internally in 2021 and publicly in 2022, builds on the company’s ED&I promise to accelerate equity, celebrate diversity, and foster a culture of inclusion. The Strategy provides a roadmap to guide the company’s journey towards ED&I excellence by embedding ED&I practices and measuring outcomes in the short, medium, and long-term. In 2022, OPG established an ED&I Strategy Council to oversee implementation and tracking of the Strategy’s progress. Council working groups are advancing the Strategy’s alignment, assessment, reporting and 2022-2025 Broader Employment Equity Plan, which sets out employment equity targets to ensure OPG’s workforce reflects the company’s host communities
• At the highest levels of the company, OPG’s Board of Directors continues to be one of the most diverse in the industry and more than half of the company’s executive team members are women. Female representation across OPG’s workforce now stands at almost 24%, less than three percentage points below the number of qualified women in the marketplace for OPG’s industry and jobs.
• The OPG Board itself is a leader in respect of the diversity of its members. The Board is greater than 50% gender diverse and overall diversity is also over 50%.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• OPG’s Regional Biodiversity Program complements our on-site work by helping to fund and promote efforts that contribute to the protection and restoration of sensitive habitat and habitat corridors across Ontario. As a member of the Ontario Biodiversity Council, OPG supports Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy. The Strategy outlines the framework for the conservation of Ontario’s biodiversity by reducing threats, enhancing resilience, engaging people, and improving knowledge. Qualified conservation partners receive funding for projects that address key biodiversity issues in the areas of reforestation, wetlands, grasslands, and lakes and rivers. Our conservation partners also work with local Indigenous communities to ensure Traditional Ecological Knowledge is incorporated into restoration projects.
• OPG also supports initiatives that contribute to biodiversity education, awareness, and ecological land stewardship. Our partners include the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Earth Rangers, Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF), Ontario Nature, and the Toronto Wildlife Centre. OPG continues to partner with the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program, also known as Bring Back the Salmon, to help restore a self-sustaining Atlantic salmon population to Lake Ontario and its tributaries. In 2022, OPG’s Regional Biodiversity Program also:
  • Planted 342,736 trees.
  • Restored over 600 acres of woodlands/forests.
  • Restored over 64 acres of grasslands.
  • Created 379 acres of wetlands
• As the operator of dozens of dams on rivers systems throughout the province, OPG takes a proactive approach to protect fish and fish habitat that may be impacted by the company’s activities. Measures include trap and transport programs, fish ladders, stocking programs, barriers and deterring structures, water flow alterations, habitat protection and creation, water quality monitoring, and station effluent temperature limits to manage and mitigate impacts to fish. OPG also works cooperatively with our regulators, the scientific community, and partner utilities to protect fish and fish habitat. Some highlights from 2022 include:
  • Installation and maintenance of a 600-metre-long barrier net at Pickering Nuclear GS to protect Lake Ontario fish communities.
  • Supporting the spawning migration of lake sturgeon on the Kaministiquia River in northwestern Ontario by maintaining minimum ecological flows over Kakabeka Falls.
  • Using a fish alarm at our Peter Sutherland Sr. GS during non-generating periods, when the tailrace has the potential to become disconnected from the main Abitibi River.
  • Implementing fisheries offset and restoration measures, such as the Big Island Wetland Fish Habitat Bank, to counterbalance residual impacts and achieve net gains in fisheries productivity.
  • Conducting fish and fish habitat monitoring programs to support OPG’s offset programs.
  • Operation of an eel ladder at R.H. Saunders GS for the upstream passage of young American eels on the St. Lawrence River.
  • Organization of a trap and transfer program to move mature migratory American eel down the St. Lawrence River, past OPG’s R.H. Saunders and Hydro-Quebec’s Beauharnois GS
• OPG also carefully manages the quality of all wastewater discharged from its generating stations to the environment. All station wastewater effluent to the environment is required to meet strict site-specific compliance obligations. OPG regularly reports its wastewater monitoring results to various regulators such as Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• In 2014, we stopped burning coal to generate electricity and embarked on a company-wide mission to create low-cost, low-carbon electricity for Ontario. Today, we have some of the lowest-carbon electricity not just in North America, but in the world, which reflects our diverse mix of generating assets and our record of innovation and successful delivery of projects on time and on budget.
• In 2022, OPG’s Renewable Generation division advanced several clean energy projects, including:
  • Completing the replacement of two older and decommissioned generating units at our Sir Adam Beck I GS, adding about 115 MW of incremental peaking generation capacity to our hydroelectric fleet.
  • Completed the redevelopment of the Calabogie GS in eastern Ontario, which was placed in-service in 2023. The new hydroelectric station more than doubles its predecessor’s output to 11 MW from 5 MW.
  • Placing a new 10 MW unit into service at the Ranney Falls GS
  • Continuing ongoing overhauls of generating units across our hydro fleet through an extensive turbine/generator overhaul program, which will extend the lives of these durable assets.
  • Exploring the addition of generation capacity at OPG’s control dams.
• To ensure our low-carbon energy footprint, OPG continues to invest in our nuclear operations. This includes progressing the Darlington Refurbishment project, one of Canada’s largest clean energy infrastructure projects. In 2022, the project remained ahead of schedule and on budget. Once completed by the end of 2026, the four-unit refurbishment will extend Darlington’s operating life by at least 30 years and have the same impact as removing two million cars per year from Ontario’s roads.
• The Province also asked OPG to update the refurbishment feasibility study for Pickering’s Units 5-8 that was initiated a little over a decade ago. This request is in support of the IESO’s Pathways to Decarbonization Report and will help Ontario achieve long-term climate change targets, including decarbonization of the economy by 2050. Technical, regulatory, and economic impacts of the study are being examined – both for the refurbishment project itself and the long-term operation of the plant.
• OPG prioritizes providing cost-competitive power by routinely reinvesting in the efficiency of our generating assets, some of which have been creating power for many decades, and by working diligently to keep operating costs low. OPG helps moderate Ontario’s electricity rates by providing power that costs less than other generators.
• We’re also the only rate-regulated electricity generator in the province. In practice, this means that rates for most of our generating assets are set through public hearings with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). As mandated by the OEB Act, these rate application proceedings are conducted in an open and transparent manner and OPG’s application documents are publicly disclosed on our website.
• During OPG’s rate application process, individual consumers or groups of electricity ratepayers may request to participate directly in the public hearings and inform the OEB’s decision on rates, which helps ensure OPG is accountable to Ontario’s consumers for our electricity rates. In 2021, OPG’s regulated rates were set for the 2022-2026 period.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.

Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• In addition to helping moderate Ontario’s electricity rates by providing power that costs less than other generators, OPG has significant direct and indirect impacts on the province’s economic and social fabric.
  • In 2022, we generated $1.6 billion in net income for the Province, and approximately $7 billion over the last five years. These dollars benefit the people of Ontario and support essential programs and services.
  • We directly employ about 10,000 skilled, dedicated people and support thousands of additional jobs across Ontario through our clean energy projects and supply chains.
  • We spent almost $3 billion to operate and maintain our fleet and operations in 2022, and we invested about $2.6 billion in our facilities and assets.
  • Our redevelopment, upgrades, and refurbishment projects inject millions of dollars into the economy.
  • OPG is Canada’s largest corporate issuer of green bonds.
  • We purchase goods and services from about 2,000 active suppliers, the vast majority of which are local businesses.
  • We are actively increasing the number of Indigenous businesses we purchase goods and services from and are developing partnerships with Indigenous communities that provide jobs, skills training, and lasting economic benefits.
  • And we produce several critical isotopes, used in health care for medical diagnostics, imaging, and equipment sterilization.
• We are also making advances in our Reconciliation journey. In November 2022, we released our first annual progress report on our Reconciliation Action Plan: our road map for how we intend to work in partnership with Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations to advance Reconciliation. We met all the goals set out for 2022, including creating more than $75 million in economic benefits for Indigenous communities and businesses and hiring more than 20 skilled Indigenous employees through our Indigenous Opportunities Network program. This is a good start, and we acknowledge that we need to continue to listen and learn to move forward.
• OPG puts the health and safety of its employees first and foremost. Pursuing safety excellence starts with our strong health and safety culture, which has been recognized with a number of industry awards over the years. In 2022, our strong health and safety culture was recognized with an Electricity Canada President’s Award of Excellence for Employee Safety, with a top ranking in safety performance compared to peers, and OPG was named to Canadian Occupational Safety’s 2022 5-Star Safety Cultures list. Our commitment to health and safety excellence includes a framework of standards and procedures, mechanisms for continual improvement, and a team-oriented approach.
• Fostering positive labour relations is an important focus for OPG. As of December 31, 2022, 87.2% of OPG’s regular workforce was represented by a union, including the Power Workers’ Union (PWU), the Society of United Professionals (Society), and several building trades unions.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• Since launching our inaugural ESG Report last year, we have continued to make steady advancements in building new clean, sustainable generation infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the future, as well as becoming a more inclusive, diverse, and socially responsible company.
• OPG continues to lead the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), the next generation of clean and reliable nuclear power. At our Darlington Nuclear site, we are progressing our project to build North America’s first commercial, grid-scale SMR by the end of 2028, which will power the equivalent of about 300,000 homes with low-carbon, reliable power. And through our partnership in Global First Power, we are building Canada’s first off-grid SMR at Chalk River, which will be a viable alternative to diesel generators for remote mines and communities.
• In December 2021, OPG announced it had selected GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy to help it deploy Canada’s first commercial, grid-scale SMR at the Darlington Nuclear site within this decade, pending regulatory approvals. In 2022, OPG applied to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for a Licence to Construct the reactor and began site preparation activities at the Darlington site. Also in 2022, the Canada Infrastructure Bank finalized an agreement with OPG to provide a $970 million credit facility towards the project at a supportive interest rate.
• In 2022, OPG’s Renewable Generation division advanced several clean energy projects, including:
  • Completing the replacement of two older and decommissioned generating units at our Sir Adam Beck I GS, adding about 115 MW of incremental peaking generation capacity to our hydroelectric fleet.
  • Completed the redevelopment of the Calabogie GS in eastern Ontario, which was placed in-service in 2023. The new hydroelectric station more than doubles its predecessor’s output to 11 MW from 5 MW.
  • Placing a new 10 MW unit into service at the Ranney Falls GS.
  • Continuing ongoing overhauls of generating units across our hydro fleet through an extensive turbine/generator overhaul program, which will extend the lives of these durable assets.
  • Exploring the addition of generation capacity at OPG’s control dams
• To ensure our low-carbon energy footprint, OPG continues to invest in our nuclear operations. This includes progressing the Darlington Refurbishment project, one of Canada’s largest clean energy infrastructure projects. In 2022, the project remained ahead of schedule and on budget. Once completed by the end of 2026, the four-unit refurbishment will extend Darlington’s operating life by at least 30 years and have the same impact as removing two million cars per year from Ontario’s roads.
• In September 2022, the Province requested that OPG continue to operate Pickering Nuclear’s Units 5-8 through September 2026 (subject to approval from the CNSC). This request helps the IESO and province meet near-term generation needs as refurbishment work temporarily reduces the electricity output at the Darlington and Bruce Power nuclear sites. The Province also asked OPG to update the refurbishment feasibility study for Pickering’s Units 5-8 that was initiated a little over a decade ago. This request is in support of the IESO’s Pathways to Decarbonization Report and will help Ontario achieve long-term climate change targets, including decarbonization of the economy by 2050. Technical, regulatory, and economic impacts of the study are being examined – both for the refurbishment project itself and the long-term operation of the plant.
• OPG’s leadership in the push for electrification began 13 years ago with the launch of Plug’n Drive. Since that time, we have launched our subsidiary, PowerON Energy Solutions, to provide electrification and charging infrastructure for municipal transit agencies and corporate fleets. In 2022, PowerON continued its work with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to electrify the TTC’s bus fleet – North America’s largest transit electrification project to date.
• In partnership with Hydro One, OPG continues to expand its Ivy Charging Network, which is one of the largest EV fast-charging networks in Ontario. “Ivy Park & Charge,” the destination-based Level 2 charging service for EV drivers offered through partnerships with municipal and business partners, had a total of 63 charging ports in operation across 26 locations within seven municipalities in the province, as of the end of 2022. Ivy’s deployed Level 2 chargers with two charging ports can charge two vehicles simultaneously. Additionally, Ivy’s Level 3 fast-charging service, “Ivy Charge & Go,” had a total of 140 fast chargers in operation across 20 ONroute plaza locations along Highways 400 and 401 in Ontario as of the end of 2022. Overall, an additional 81 Level 2 charging ports and Level 3 chargers were installed during the year. Ivy has also recently launched Ivy Home, a holistic EV charging solution to help make charging at home hassle-free.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• OPG continues to prioritize its social commitments, including our work with Indigenous communities to advance our Reconciliation Action Plan, and our efforts to become a world-leading equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) employer by 2030 by enacting our ED&I Strategy.
• In November 2022, we released our first annual progress report on our Reconciliation Action Plan: our road map for how we intend to work in partnership with Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations to advance Reconciliation. We met all the goals set out for 2022, including creating more than $75 million in economic benefits for Indigenous communities and businesses and hiring more than 20 skilled Indigenous employees through our Indigenous Opportunities Network program. This is a good start, and we acknowledge that we need to continue to listen and learn to move forward.
• Another major commitment we are working toward is to become a global equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) leader by 2030. We know to achieve our sustainability and climate change goals, we will need to rely on a diverse workforce that is welcoming of a wide range of ideas, skills, and backgrounds. To build this workforce, in 2022, we continued to offer ED&I training and education to employees, including anti-racism training.
• OPG’s 10-year ED&I Strategy (the Strategy), launched internally in 2021 and publicly in 2022, builds on the company’s ED&I promise to accelerate equity, celebrate diversity, and foster a culture of inclusion. The Strategy provides a roadmap to guide the company’s journey towards ED&I excellence by embedding ED&I practices and measuring outcomes in the short, medium, and long-term. In 2022, OPG established an ED&I Strategy Council to oversee implementation and tracking of the Strategy’s progress. Council working groups are advancing the Strategy’s alignment, assessment, reporting and 2022-2025 Broader Employment Equity Plan, which sets out employment equity targets to ensure OPG’s workforce reflects the company’s host communities.
• OPG also advanced its corporate commitment to ED&I at the enterprise and site levels through comprehensive programming, local ED&I committees, and province-wide employee resource groups. These structures provide ongoing support for ED&I policies, programs, and initiatives, and facilitate employee engagement and feedback, including networking opportunities, peer-to-peer discussion, and promotion of ED&I awareness. In 2022, employees formed OPG’s inaugural Women’s Employee Resource Group and the company hosted its largest Women’s Leadership Forum to date.
• OPG continues to take active steps to support ED&I within and beyond the energy sector, including in host communities. In 2022, OPG created a specialized recruitment team to focus on building and maintaining partnerships with community organizations that support equity-seeking individuals. Similarly, the company continues to invest with partners to build long-term candidate pools and pipelines, such as in the case of continued investments in education programs at Ontario Tech University and Durham College, and with community partner, the BlackNorth Initiative.
• In 2022, in recognition of the company’s leading programs and practices, OPG was named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2023 by Mediacorp Inc. This award marks the achievement of OPG’s short-term ED&I Strategy goal set in 2020 and reflects the work done to build a strong foundation for long-term ED&I excellence. After two years of Strategy implementation, OPG is undertaking more advanced work and is well on the way towards its goal of becoming a global leader in ED&I by 2030.
• In 2022, OPG awarded $18.6 million worth of contracts to equity-seeking vendors and, in support of our RAP, added 15 new Indigenous vendors into our supply chain and achieved our target of awarding $56 million in contracts to Indigenous vendors. For 2023, OPG has increased these targets. This aligns with OPG’s ED&I Strategy, Priority 15 (Responsible Sourcing), and RAP, Pillar #4 (Economic Empowerment). Aligning our supply chain procurement with OPG’s ED&I Strategy and RAP are important building blocks in the development of a sustainable, diverse supply chain with direct impact on economic empowerment for marginalized people.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Target 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.

Target 12.7: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• OPG takes seriously its responsibility to conduct its business in ways that enhance the protection of our environment and benefit the communities in which we operate, and to do so in a way that is transparent and open. To this end, we publish an annual ESG Report, and regularly update opg.com with a wide variety of ESG-related information, stories, and reports. Additional sustainability reporting, including performance data, is available at: https://www.opg.com/ reporting/sustainability-reporting
• Nuclear Sustainability Services (NSS) is the division of OPG responsible for the safe management of nuclear by-products from nuclear electricity generation, plant refurbishments, and future decommissioning projects.
• NSS does far more than just safely handle waste. Formerly the Nuclear Waste Management Division, we changed our name to Nuclear Sustainability Services to better reflect the full extent of the work that we do. Our name now reflects our evolving strategic direction, with a continued emphasis on the three Rs – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This is also aligned with OPG’s Climate Change Plan.
• Since the beginning of OPG’s reactor operations, we have reduced our low-level waste (LLW) volumes by 58% through various processing methods, such as incineration and compaction, and we know we can reduce even more. We have a goal to reduce LLW volumes at our Western waste management facility in Kincardine by 50% in 10 years and we are investing in our people, new technology, and research to hit that target.
• NSS accomplished a tremendous amount in 2022 to support OPG’s waste minimization goals. Some highlights of our waste minimization and diversion achievements include:
  • Met all station waste diversion targets.
  • Advanced measures to further reduce waste at stations such as increasing staffing levels at peak times. Released Request for More Information and Request for Proposal to advance metal-processing options, with the plan to work with industry experts to develop a strategy to decontaminate, recycle, and process metal components.
  • Launched pilot project with two vendors to reduce intermediate-level waste spent resin with innovative technology that will also extract valuable radioisotopes to support cutting-edge medical research.
  • Participated in numerous speaking engagements, including the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.
  • Continued construction of the Western Clean Energy and Sorting Facility, which will enhance repacking, sorting, and segregation of LLW from OPG nuclear operations to reduce volumes, with operations expected to begin in Q3 2023.
  • Repurposed existing structures on-site for LLW interim storage, rather than building new structures.
  • Completed the construction of our used fuel storage buildings 5 and 6 at our NSS-Western waste management facility.
  • Opened our doors after the pandemic with more than 30 tours of NSS sites; attendees included industry, community, and government officials, as well as Indigenous Nations and community members.
• OPG is committed to using its procurement to advance its corporate values and ESG principles. Our suppliers and contractors must demonstrate their ability to manage quality and health and safety targets, as well as meet technical and commercial requirements. In 2022, OPG continued work with a third-party service provider to evaluate key suppliers in several ESG areas. Suppliers are evaluated in the categories of environmental performance, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
• Evaluation criteria include global considerations such as customer health and safety, forced labour, anticompetitive practices, corruption, and environmental practices. In 2023, these ESG evaluations will continue, and corrective actions will be assigned to ultimately improve vendor performance, reduce emissions, and achieve sustainable outcomes. This work will also help determine a baseline for, and then ultimately reduce, OPG’s Scope 3 emissions.
• In 2022, OPG awarded $18.6 million worth of contracts to equity-seeking vendors and, in support of our RAP, added 15 new Indigenous vendors into our supply chain and achieved our target of awarding $56 million in contracts to Indigenous vendors. For 2023, OPG has increased these targets. This aligns with OPG’s ED&I Strategy, Priority 15 (Responsible Sourcing), and RAP, Pillar #4 (Economic Empowerment). Aligning our supply chain procurement with OPG’s ED&I Strategy and RAP are important building blocks in the development of a sustainable, diverse supply chain with direct impact on economic empowerment for marginalized people.
• OPG procurement contracts are awarded following OPG’s established procurement activity procedures, with suppliers expected to ensure full compliance with OPG’s Supplier Code of Conduct and Code of Business Conduct in their business dealings with OPG. These requirements are part of commercial terms in our Agreements. Code of Conduct concerns are managed and investigated through our Ethics Department. Certain suppliers are subject to OPG audits and assessments, which are commensurate with their approved scope of work and specified quality requirements. OPG has approximately 2,000 active suppliers and is a proud supporter of local businesses.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• By building and operating low-carbon generating stations, we have helped the province avoid millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2014, we completed one of the world’s single-largest climate change actions by closing the last of our coal stations.
• Ontario’s electricity ranks, by a wide margin, among the lowest globally from a carbon intensity perspective when compared to other jurisdictions, including Canada as a whole, the United States, Britain, France, and Germany.
• To underline our commitment to climate action, in November 2020, OPG launched our first-ever Climate Change Plan, which outlines our path to achieving two ambitious goals:

1. OPG will be a net-zero carbon company by 2040. We will implement and invest in carbon reductions and offsets that achieve an overall balance between emissions produced and emissions removed or displaced from the atmosphere.
2. OPG will be a catalyst to help the markets where we operate achieve net-zero carbon economies by 2050. We will be a leading energy innovation company, advancing clean technology solutions.

• OPG’s Climate Change Plan includes more than 50 specific interim actions to be taken by 2025 in the areas of mitigation, adaptation, innovation, and leadership.
• OPG has internal governance in place to help the company deliver its Climate Change Plan and associated actions. We have established roles and accountability for the plan as well as a structure to oversee and implement the plan’s actions.
• Our efforts to progress our Climate Change Plan are aligned with the Pathways to Decarbonization Report that the IESO released in 2022.
• Some of the key actions already underway to fulfill our climate goals include: SMRs, asset renewal and development, electrification, hydrogen, storage and other climate change initiatives.
• In Ontario, natural gas generation plays an important role in the transition to a clean energy future. Owning and operating these gas plants aids our effort to combat climate change as these facilities are an important enabler of intermittent renewable energy like solar and wind, providing back up when the sun is not shining and when the wind is not blowing. This allows for quicker decarbonization of higher emitting sectors, such as transportation, buildings, and industry.
• As part of our Climate Change Plan, OPG is also investigating negative emissions technologies, and continuing to support nature-based solutions like tree-planting and biodiversity initiatives. OPG is also monitoring developments in electric utility carbon capture and sequestration, as well as early-stage developments of a regulatory framework to permit carbon sequestration in Ontario. All of these current and future actions will help OPG meet its climate goals and position Ontario for success in the post-carbon future.
• In 2022, and within the first quarter of 2023, OPG undertook the following actions to adapt and enhance the resilience of our operations, including:
  • Development and issuance of an internal climate change strategy and roadmap of deliverables.
  • Establishment of an internal climate change adaptation working group, with cross-functional business unit representation and senior leadership endorsement.
  • Initiation of climate risk and vulnerability assessments for existing generation assets and for specific Nuclear and Renewable Generation projects.
  • Active participation in external collaboration, benchmarking, and research opportunities with expert consortiums and industry groups in order to advance the development of industry-specific adaptation strategies and frameworks.
  • Continued prioritization of infrastructure improvements to minimize climate-related impacts, including the Little Long and Smoky Falls dam safety projects.
• In July 2022, OPG released an update to its green bond framework to include eligible nuclear projects, in recognition of the critical role the technology plays in fighting climate change and in achieving OPG’s own climate change goals. The details of OPG’s green bond program, including green bond framework, use of proceeds reports, and green bond impact reports are available on the company’s webpage.

Alignment with SDG target:

Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.

OPG contribution toward SDG:

• For several decades, OPG has been a champion of biodiversity in Ontario, working to protect and nurture the ecosystems that Ontarians rely on. At our generation sites, in our communities, and in the wilderness, we work to enhance biodiversity and wildlife conservation with a focus on the four Rs of biodiversity stewardship:
  • Retain what is ecologically significant.
  • Restore habitats that have been degraded.
  • Replace habitats that have been lost, where ecologically and economically feasible.
  • Recover species that are at risk.
• Some of OPG’s key achievements over the years include planting more than 8.7 million native trees and shrubs and stocking more than seven million Atlantic salmon in local waterways.
• Our ongoing on-site and regional biodiversity programs also support our Climate Change Plan and Reconciliation Action Plan. The focus areas of these programs include land stewardship, measuring and monitoring OPG’s ecological features, including native and invasive species, and preserving, restoring, and creating habitat for Ontario’s native flora and fauna.
• Other highlights from our on-site biodiversity programs include:
  • Increased the number of nest boxes and repaired older nest boxes to provide additional habitat for tree swallows and Eastern bluebirds.
  • Installed a new turtle basking platform at Darlington’s Coots pond (along the waterfront trail), that was built in partnership with the students at Courtice Secondary School.
  • Continued to remove extensive invasive species from OPG sites (phragmites, dog strangling vine, buckthorn, etc.), including through the use of weed-eating goats.
  • Planted pollinator-friendly gardens and meadows at the Pickering Learning Centre and Darlington Energy Complex.
• Qualified conservation partners receive funding for projects that address key biodiversity issues in the areas of reforestation, wetlands, grasslands, and lakes and rivers. Our conservation partners also work with local Indigenous communities to ensure Traditional Ecological Knowledge is incorporated into restoration projects.
• OPG also supports initiatives that contribute to biodiversity education, awareness, and ecological land stewardship. Our partners include the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Earth Rangers, Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF), Ontario Nature, and the Toronto Wildlife Centre. OPG continues to partner with the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program, also known as Bring Back the Salmon, to help restore a self-sustaining Atlantic salmon population to Lake Ontario and its tributaries.
• In 2022, OPG’s Regional Biodiversity Program also:
  • Planted 342,736 trees.
  • Restored over 600 acres of woodlands/forests.
  • Restored over 64 acres of grasslands.
  • Created 379 acres of wetlands
• In 2022, OPG partnered with South Nation Conservation Authority to plant rows of trees and shrubs that act as an edible buffer along a streambank flowing through Jessup’s Falls Conservation Area, located in Plantagenet, Ont.
• As the operator of dozens of dams on rivers systems throughout the province, OPG takes a proactive approach to protect fish and fish habitat that may be impacted by the company’s activities.
• Water is an essential resource to OPG – and to the places we operate in. This is why OPG is actively engaged with government agencies, scientists, and municipalities to predict conditions and manage our river systems for the safety of the community and the environment. OPG also carefully manages the quality of all wastewater discharged from its generating stations to the environment.