S'abonner

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.

  • Populaires ​
US natural gas production to hit historic high in 2025
Ecuador: Partial Resumption of Oil Transport After Major Climatic Disruptions
Maple Creek Energy launches strategic RFP for US gas project
BP and Shell sign strategic agreements to revive Libya’s oil industry
Masdar and Iberdrola invest €5.2bn in UK offshore wind
Terna and NPC Ukrenergo sign strategic agreement for European energy integration
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 modernises TransnetBW’s key cross-border power hub in Germany
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.
Britain anticipates massive surge in electricity demand by 2050
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 secures €1bn in guarantees with SACE and EIB for Adriatic Link project
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 reforms oil contracts to attract more international investors
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.
Ukraine: Energoatom signs major agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec
Energoatom signed strategic agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, aiming to establish nuclear fuel production and small modular reactor capabilities in the country.
Iran Relaunches Nuclear Dialogue to Negotiate with the United States, Russia Supports a No-Enrichment Deal
Tehran agrees to reopen its nuclear facilities to the IAEA, aiming to resume negotiations with Washington, while Moscow pushes for a “zero enrichment” agreement without getting involved in supervision.
The European Union commits EUR2.3bn to accelerate Ukraine’s energy reconstruction
The European Commission is launching a special fund of EUR2.3bn ($2.5bn) to boost Ukraine’s reconstruction and attract private capital to the energy and infrastructure sectors.
TerraPower awards three major contracts for its Natrium reactor in the United States
TerraPower has selected three new American suppliers for its advanced Natrium nuclear reactor, confirming progress on the project located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, intended to replace a retiring coal-fired power plant.
Asia accounts for 71% of new renewable capacity, Africa remains marginalised
Asia dominated global new renewable energy capacity in 2024 with 71% of installations, while Africa recorded limited growth of only 7.2%, according to the latest annual report from IRENA.
Trump law reshapes US energy markets according to Wood Mackenzie
US President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act dramatically changes energy investment rules, imposing restrictions on renewables while favouring hydrocarbons, according to a recent report by consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie.
EnergyX acquires 35,000 acres of US lithium from Pantera Lithium
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
Canada: CCSN approves the ARC-100 reactor design review
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
Lithuanian nuclear operator SE Ignalina signs agreement with Newcleo
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
The French Senate adopts the Gremillet bill for energy transition
On July 8, 2025, the Senate validated the Gremillet bill, aimed at structuring France's energy transition with clear objectives for nuclear power, renewable energies, and energy renovation.
Egypt: Supplementary agreements signed for the El Dabaa nuclear power plant
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra obtains approval to extend Perry nuclear plant operations
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
Latin America’s six largest economies accelerate transition to renewables
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru significantly increase renewable electricity production, reaching nearly 70% of the regional electricity mix, according to a recent Wood Mackenzie study on Latin America's energy sector.
EDF injects €1.3 billion into Sizewell C, its second British EPR
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
France: Cigéo nuclear waste underground storage project makes significant progress
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING