Nuclear power

The foundation of Ontario's clean electricity system

Nuclear power is one of the best ways to meet the constant and growing electricity demands of Ontario reliably, cost effectively, and without the environmental impact of greenhouse gas and carbon emissions.

Today, more than 50% of Ontario’s power needs are met by nuclear.

Discover how this powerful energy source has become an important tool in fighting climate change both locally and globally and continues to be an important part of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG's) generating mix.

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Our nuclear generation

0 5576

MW in-service generating capacity
(Mar. 31, 2026)

0 2

stations in Pickering and Clarington (Darlington)

0 50

years of experience safely operating nuclear facilities in Ontario

0 380

terawatt hours of power produced in 2025

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Nuclear powered potential

Nuclear power remains one of the most misunderstood sources of energy available. As the world faces the reality of a rapidly changing climate, nuclear power is essential in the fight against climate change because of its ability to produce large amounts of low-cost power safely, reliably, and without carbon emissions. Its extensive use in Ontario is one of the reasons why the province remains one of the lowest carbon intensive jurisdictions in the world.

By the numbers:

According to the Canadian Nuclear Association in Canada alone, nuclear energy:

  • Helps avoid 80 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

  • That’s roughly the equivalent of taking 15 million passenger vehicles off the road.

That’s because nuclear power doesn’t burn fuel to make power, which produces greenhouse gas and carbon emissions.

Despite what some believe, renewable energy sources like wind and solar alone aren’t enough to reliably meet the growing needs of Ontario due to their unpredictability (calm windless nights or short cloudy winter days).

Nuclear allows for consistent 24/7/365 baseload power generation that will continue to play an important role in Ontario’s energy mix for decades to come.

OPG's WattNext

OPG's WattNext

OPG’s WattNext, produced in partnership with the Ontario Science Centre and Ontario Tech University, provides answers to energy questions big and small.

Learn Watt's Next for Nuclear Power at:

Our nuclear generation

Nuclear

Nuclear energy - the core of Ontario's power

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Two female workers in hard hats consult in front of a large nuclear turbine undergoing refurbishment.

Operating licences.

We require nuclear operating licences from the CNSC to operate our Pickering and Darlington generating stations as well as our nuclear waste management facilities.

Our commitment to your safety

Safety remains OPG’s top priority. This is why our nuclear generating stations are designed with multiple safeguard systems and are staffed by highly trained personnel.

In the over five decades of our nuclear operations, no member of the public has been harmed by radiation emissions from our nuclear generation stations or through the management of nuclear waste and radioactive materials. Amongst many additional safeguards, OPG continuously measures radiation levels at its stations' perimeter to ensure communities are kept safe and healthy.

Our commitment to keeping you informed

OPG is committed to open and transparent communication. OPG’s Nuclear Public Information Disclosure and Transparency Protocol ensures information is communicated in a number of ways based on audience identification, their interests, perception of risk, and their preferred means of communication. This ensures clear understanding of nuclear operations, activities and projects to allow the public to make informed objective decisions through readily accessible information, open dialogue and opportunities to have concerns addressed.

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