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.
Our nuclear generation
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MW in-service generating capacity
(Dec. 31, 2023)
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stations in Pickering and Clarington (Darlington)
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years of experience safely operating nuclear facilities in Ontario
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.
Our nuclear generation
Nuclear
Nuclear energy - the core of Ontario's power
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 safe storage
OPG is committed to the safe handling and management of all waste and radioactive materials produced within its nuclear facilities. Protecting the health of our communities and the environment both today and in the future is a key part of OPG’s Nuclear Sustainability Services – Waste Management division’s waste and material management strategy.
All forms of energy production produce waste. Unlike other energy sources such as coal, where waste is released through harmful emissions that impact the environment and air quality, nuclear waste and materials are small in volume, safely handled and stored and tracked at every stage of management. This is unique to the nuclear industry. More so, OPG continues to work on innovations that assist in lowering volumes of nuclear waste requiring storage. Through embracing the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse and recycle), working to enhance the sorting and segregating processes, and finding value in nuclear materials such as isotopes which are used for medical uses OPG continues to lead the way to a brighter, cleaner tomorrow.
Get to know nuclear power
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