Powering positive change: OPG’s community impact goes far beyond electricity

"Beyond the power OPG produces, it’s about the people that come to work here,” said John Henry, Chair of Durham Region, where OPG operates the Pickering and Darlington Nuclear stations and is building the G7’s first grid-scale Small Modular Reactor. “It’s about what they do back in their communities. They help us. They are our soccer coaches, baseball coaches, our hockey coaches, and they give back their time to the community.”

Contributing to the social fabric of Ontario’s strong communities – that’s one facet of our impact. OPG also helps support the next generation of Ontario’s skilled workforce.

In 2025, our Power for Change Project contributed $60,000 in high school awards benefiting 120 students and invested $181,500 in 47 post-secondary scholarships.

“We know we’re going to need a lot of trades and workers in general to build, refurbish, and operate OPG’s facilities and projects,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, Durham College President. “As a college, we have a real responsibility to develop these talents. And as we build this workforce, we will all benefit, through a stronger economy, new jobs, and support for the community through new hospitals, restaurants, and transportation.”

Beyond supporting students and creating new jobs, OPG also helps support the most vulnerable in our communities. Last year, we helped distribute more than 87,000 lbs. of food to families in need and served over 68,000 meals. OPG’s Power for Change Project also provided $50,000 in emergency funding to help communities recover and rebuild following challenging events and crises.

Our operations also play a key role in improving the environment and safeguarding biodiversity for our future. Whether it’s creating new habitats for at-risk species, restoring wetlands and grasslands, or helping plant over 10 million trees since 2000, OPG is proud to improve our natural surroundings for the benefit of today and tomorrow.

But more than all this, OPG is creating pride – in Ontario’s clean, reliable electricity system and in our superpowered future.

“As we’re in the midst of a renaissance of nuclear power, the world is looking at what is happening right here in Clarington and in Ontario,” said Adrian Foster, Mayor of Clarington. “With an incredibly successful Darlington Refurbishment, the new SMR being built, and the continued production of life-saving isotopes, we are at the forefront of a global phenomenon.”

As Ontario’s energy demand rises in the coming years, driven by electrification and technological advances, OPG will be at the forefront of helping meet this demand through new, clean generation.

But we will do so responsibly.

Whether in existing or potential new host communities, our commitment will remain the same – to be a good neighbour, create a positive impact, and earn the social right to operate.