Ontario prepares massive expansion of its nuclear and hydropower energy

Ontario announces an ambitious plan to meet a 75% increase in electricity demand by 2050, focusing on nuclear, hydropower, and natural gas.

Share:

Ontario is preparing for a significant rise in energy demand, which is expected to grow by 75% by 2050, according to a report from Energy Minister Stephen Lecce. The plan aims to boost the province’s energy capacity through investments in modular nuclear reactors, hydropower, and natural gas generation.

To meet the growing demand, the province has planned the addition of 111 terawatt-hours (TWh) of new energy capacity. This increase is primarily driven by the expansion of data centers and the rising adoption of electric vehicles. To support this growth, four new small modular reactors, with a total capacity of 1,200 MW, will be built at the Darlington nuclear plant, which already has a capacity of 1,756 MW.

Strategic investments in nuclear and hydropower energy

Energy security is at the heart of this strategy. Ontario Power Generation has been authorized by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to continue operating units 5 through 8 of the Pickering nuclear plant until the end of 2026. These units will provide essential support to the province’s energy base during this period.

At the same time, the province has allocated 1.6 billion Canadian dollars to extend the lifespan of its hydropower fleet, which plays a critical role in producing the base power needed to maintain grid stability. While these infrastructures provide reliable energy, natural gas, which currently represents 40% of Ontario’s energy mix, remains indispensable in the short term to ensure grid reliability, particularly during periods of high demand.

The transition towards an energy export powerhouse

Ontario has been a net energy exporter to neighboring jurisdictions since 2006. However, the government is looking to optimize these exports by analyzing new opportunities to fully benefit from clean energy commitments made by U.S. states such as New York, Maryland, and Illinois. The government plans to enhance its generation and transmission capacities to capture these markets.

This approach is part of a broader vision aimed at transforming the province into an “energy superpower.” Minister Lecce announced that an integrated resource plan would be presented in 2025 to ensure that Ontario can meet its domestic demand while maximizing export opportunities to other provinces and the United States.

Bahrain has concluded a civil nuclear agreement with the United States and formalised a commitment of $17bn in public investments in the US market, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kairos Power has installed the vessel for its third test prototype in Oak Ridge, aiming to validate manufacturing methods for its future Hermes reactor supported by the US Department of Energy.
London and Prague formalise a strategic partnership to develop the nuclear sector, focusing on small modular reactors and industrial cooperation on supply chains.
Experts have broadly approved France’s Cigéo deep nuclear waste repository project, highlighting technical uncertainties that demand stronger guarantees for long-term safety.
Uzbekistan advances its nuclear project by signing a protocol with Hungary for the supply and local assembly of dry cooling systems, expanding its industrial partnerships in the region.
Several major U.S. corporations announce investments totaling nearly USD 90 billion to strengthen energy infrastructure in Pennsylvania, aimed at powering data centers vital to the rapid growth of the artificial intelligence sector.
Nearly USD92bn will be invested by major American and international groups in new data centres and energy infrastructure, responding to the surge in electricity demand linked to the rise of artificial intelligence.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is asking the European Commission to review its $49bn investment to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant, a step required under the Euratom Treaty before any construction permit can be issued.
Nouakchott has endured lengthy power interruptions for several weeks, highlighting the financial and technical limits of the Mauritanian Electricity Company as Mauritania aims to widen access and green its mix by 2030.
Between 2015 and 2024, four multilateral climate funds committed nearly eight bn USD to clean energy, attracting private capital through concessional terms while Africa and Asia absorbed more than half of the volume.
The Global Energy Policies Hub shows that strategic reserves, gas obligations, cybersecurity and critical-mineral policies are expanding rapidly, lifting oil coverage to 98 % of world imports.
According to a report by Ember, the Chinese government’s appliance trade-in campaign could double residential air-conditioner efficiency gains in 2025 and trim up to USD943mn from household electricity spending this year.
Washington is examining sectoral taxes on polysilicon and drones, two supply chains dominated by China, after triggering Section 232 to measure industrial dependency risks.
The International Atomic Energy Agency mission completed on July 11 warns that the National Nuclear Safety Administration must hire staff to oversee a fleet of 59 reactors in operation and 32 more under construction.
The 2025-2034 development plan presented by Terna includes strengthening Sicily’s grid, new interconnections, and major projects to support the region’s growing renewable energy capacity.
Terna and NPC Ukrenergo have concluded a three-year partnership in Rome aimed at strengthening the integration of the Ukrainian grid into the pan-European system, with an in-depth exchange of technological and regulatory expertise.
GE Vernova has secured a major contract to modernise the Kühmoos substation in Germany, enhancing grid reliability and integration capacity for power flows between Germany, France and Switzerland.
The National Energy System Operator forecasts electricity demand to rise to 785 TWh by 2050, underlining the need to modernise grids and integrate more clean energy to support the UK’s energy transition.
Terna has signed a guarantee agreement with SACE and the European Investment Bank to finance the Adriatic Link project, totalling approximately €1bn ($1.08bn) and validated as a major transaction under Italian regulations.
India unveils a series of reforms on oil and gas contracts, introducing a fiscal stability clause to enhance the sector’s attractiveness for foreign companies and boost its growth ambitions in upstream energy.