More than 150 leaders from across the nuclear industry, municipal government, education, business, and community sectors gathered this week for the second-annual Clean Energy Frontier Conference, hosted by the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII).
Over two days at the NII Advance Technology Campus in Tiverton, participants explored how the region’s clean energy projects are driving economic growth, workforce opportunities, and innovation that will help Canada meet its future energy demands.
In his keynote address, Eric Chassard, President and CEO of Bruce Power, discussed the province’s growing energy needs and the company’s ongoing efforts to address them.
“We will deliver on Bruce Power’s life-extension program and innovative approaches to increasing power generation output—while focusing on finding efficiencies throughout our operations and keeping workers safe," he said. "Yes, it’s hard work, but that’s how you secure the future. So, my question to you is: Are you ready?”
The conference featured sessions on workforce trends, youth engagement, isotope ecosystem development, and regional growth. According to an interim report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, nearly 2,700 full-time equivalent jobs in Kincardine and Saugeen Shores could be created or supported annually over the lifetime of the proposed Bruce C project. Polling insights from Innovative Research Group also showed that net support for nuclear energy has almost doubled since 2022, making it the form of power generation with the greatest increase in support in Ontario.
Municipalities, energy sector partners, service providers, and other regional leaders also heard actionable takeaways from a community resiliency study undertaken by the Bruce Power Nexus Research Centre, hosted at NII. The study emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between all groups as communities manage sustainable growth.
“At NII, we are collaborative at our core. Today, in this room, we have over 150 professionals from the nuclear industry, elected officials, community leaders, academic and service partners, vendors and entrepreneurs,” said Jessica Linthorne, President and CEO of the Nuclear Innovation Institute. “I cannot think of another sector conference that welcomes this diverse of an audience.”
The Clean Energy Frontier Conference continues to serve as a platform for open dialogue, new ideas, and partnerships that strengthen Ontario’s clean energy ecosystem. Bruce Power served as the title sponsor, while founding sponsors included BWXT, Cameco, Candu Energy, E.S. Fox, Kinectrics, Power Workers’ Union, and the Town of Saugeen Shores.
