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January 15, 2025
9 min read

OPG set to begin working with Port Hope, First Nations to explore new nuclear generation at Wesleyville site

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At a glance

  • The Town of Port Hope has expressed its interest to explore the potential for new nuclear generation at OPG’s Wesleyville site.
  • OPG will begin working with First Nations to explore economic participation at the site.
  • The sprawling site has the potential to be an ideal location for new large nuclear in Ontario.
  • OPG is also exploring its Nanticoke and Lambton sites for generation potential to help meet Ontario’s growing demand for electricity.
OPG's Wesleyville site location.
A view of OPG's Wesleyville site, near Port Hope, Ont.

For 45 years, OPG’s Wesleyville Generating Station has sat dormant, with its powerhouse and smokestack serving as landmarks along the Lake Ontario waterfront near Port Hope.

In the late 1970s, OPG’s predecessor company, Ontario Hydro, began building the oil-fired station before the 1979 oil shock and a recession brought a halt to construction.

In the ensuing decades, OPG has taken great care of the site to ensure it is ready to go in the event Ontario needs to build a new power source. OPG also enacted an award-winning biodiversity program to conserve and protect portions of the site.

Now, with Ontario’s electricity demand set to grow by 75% by 2050, Wesleyville is back in the spotlight.

The sprawling site is one of three sites, along with Lambton and Nanticoke, that OPG is exploring with municipalities and First Nations for potential new generation.

We are committed to a transparent, thorough process with many opportunities for input, and to building strong relationships and partnerships with host communities, neighbours, and First Nations on whose traditional territory we operate.
Nicolle Butcher
President and CEO, OPG

At Wesleyville, the Town of Port Hope and First Nations have expressed an interest to explore the potential for new nuclear generation with OPG.

Salmon Run in Ganaraska River. Port Hope, ON. Canada
A view of Ganaraska River in Port Hope, Ont.

With a footprint of 1,300 acres—the equivalent of more than 900 American football fields—Wesleyville could be an ideal site for new large nuclear in Ontario. The site is also already zoned for electricity generation, has proximity to transmission, and is ideally located within a Southern Ontario region that has access to necessary resources and is experiencing significant growth.

Based on OPG’s early assessments, the site could host up to 10,000 MW of new nuclear generation, which could power the equivalent of 10 million homes.

“OPG is pleased to engage with First Nations and the Town of Port Hope to explore the potential for new nuclear power generation at our Wesleyville site,” said Nicolle Butcher, OPG’s President and CEO. “We are committed to a transparent, thorough process with many opportunities for input, and to building strong relationships and partnerships with host communities, neighbours, and First Nations on whose traditional territory we operate.”

An aerial view of Port Hope, Ont.
An aerial view of Port Hope, Ont.

As a first step, OPG and the Province of Ontario will ensure the municipality and First Nations have the necessary resources and capacity funding to participate in a multi-year process to assess the site. This work will help identify a suitable generation technology and complete a range of Impact Assessment activities.

In addition to power, a new nuclear station at Wesleyville could generate important economic and associated benefits, including attracting co-industries to the site.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, a potential nuclear development would contribute $235 billion to Ontario’s GDP over an estimated 95-year project life, which includes design, construction, operation, and maintenance. It could also support 10,500 jobs across Ontario, including 1,700 new jobs in Port Hope, representing an average 15 to 20% boost to overall employment levels in the local area.

The project could also increase economic and job opportunities for First Nations, who will have an opportunity for equity participation in any generation project.

“As we move ahead with site exploration, OPG will strive to listen to the priorities, concerns, and hopes of all stakeholders and rights holders involved,” Butcher affirmed. “And we will only advance development with their express support.

“We commit to taking this same approach at our sites in Nanticoke and Lambton as we continue discussions with communities to determine their support for new generation opportunities there.”

Learn more about OPG’s Wesleyville site and how we’re Powering Possibilities.

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