Bruce Power has submitted the Initial Project Description (IPD) for a potential Bruce C nuclear generating station to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
It's part of the company's pre-development work outlined in the 2023 Powering Ontario’s Growth report. Bruce Power is looking at adding up to 4,800 megawatts (MW) of electricity production at the Bruce Power site with the support of the Government of Ontario.
According to Bruce Power, the assessment for Bruce C is an important step going forward for Ontario and the Clean Energy Frontier of Grey, Bruce, and Huron counties in Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory.
“As we look to expand energy generation, our government remains committed to nuclear refurbishments, a clean energy source that well positions Ontario as a clean energy leader in the world,” said Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “Ontario is forecast to double its electricity grid by 2050. Bruce Power plays a vital role in expanding our electricity system so that we continue to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to Ontario families.”
In February, federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced a historic $50-million federal investment to advance pre-development work for the Bruce Power project.
“The Government of Canada is taking historic action to unlock Ontario’s clean power potential, including through investing in large-scale nuclear, refurbishments, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), renewables, grid-modernization, and cutting-edge research,” Wilkinson said. “Through the Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits and NRCan’s strategic investments, federal support is helping Bruce Power and many other partners across the country to advance projects intended to create good-paying energy and manufacturing jobs for generations to come, while we combat the climate crisis and meet the energy needs of Ontarians.”
In the lead-up to the IPD submission, Bruce Power said it put a strong focus on engaging with Indigenous Nations and Peoples, local municipalities and the public, and Bruce Power stresses this focus will continue at every stage of the process.
“While our priority remains the safe, on-schedule completion of our Major Component Replacement projects, completing the IA creates a valuable option for the future, and we are committed to proceeding in this process in a proactive, open, and transparent manner to engage Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and the broader public,” said James Scongack, Chief Operating Officer Executive Vice-President. “Bruce Power is already helping to meet Ontario’s long-term energy needs and we’re uniquely positioned for potential expansion with decades of experience, a well-studied site with space for expansion, and an experienced workforce.”
The report can be found on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) Canadian Impact Assessment Registry, and people can comment on the process until September 12, 2024.
The project will be sited within the existing fenced and secured 932-hectare Bruce Power site, along with new intake and discharge structures in Lake Huron. The Bruce Power site is located 177 Tie Road, RR2 Tiverton in the Municipality of Kincardine on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, approximately 18 kilometres north of the town of Kincardine in Bruce County, Ontario, and within the territory of the SON.