PRO side of the topic “Spending big on nuclear”

The Case FOR Ontario’s Nuclear Investment

Meeting Massive Energy Demands with Reliable Power

• Ontario faces a 75% increase in electricity demand over 25 years—equivalent to adding four and a half Torontos to the grid
• Nuclear power uniquely delivers massive amounts of stable, emissions-free baseload electricity that operates 24/7, regardless of weather conditions
• A single nuclear plant provides the same power as tens of thousands of solar panels and wind turbines combined

Proven Track Record of Success

• Ontario has demonstrated project discipline with recent refurbishments at Bruce Power and Darlington completed ahead of schedule and on budget
• The province has decades of nuclear expertise and a well-established industry that works
• Unlike troubled international projects, Ontario’s recent track record shows it can deliver

Economic Benefits and Job Creation

• The nuclear buildout represents a massive economic opportunity with $73+ billion in investment
• 90% of spending stays in Ontario, creating tens of thousands of construction and permanent jobs
• The industry already contributes $22 billion annually to Canada’s GDP
• Employs over 89,000 people, mostly in Ontario

Superior Economics for Baseload Power

• Nuclear SMRs produce baseload power at two-thirds the cost of renewables and batteries
• While renewables with batteries cost less for dispatchable power, nuclear’s efficiency advantage becomes clear for Ontario’s need for constant, reliable electricity

Land Use Efficiency

• Nuclear requires dramatically less land—up to 500 times less than wind farms for equivalent generation capacity
• The proposed Wesleyville plant would generate 10,000 MW on a compact footprint
• Avoids the massive “overbuild” (5-7 times more generation) required for intermittent renewables

Long-Term Value and Durability

• Nuclear reactors can operate for 80-90 years compared to renewables’ 20-25 year lifespan
• Provides decades of stable, low-cost electricity after initial construction costs are recovered

Export Potential and Global Leadership

• Ontario owns intellectual property in SMR reactor designs
• Already secured deals with New York, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Belgium, and Bulgaria
• Every sale generates revenue while establishing Canada as a global clean energy leader

Energy Independence and Security

• Using Canadian CANDU technology with Saskatchewan uranium creates a truly domestic energy supply chain
• Avoids reliance on foreign manufacturing
• Supports Canadian values, jobs, and sovereignty

Climate Solution at Scale

• Nuclear provides the only proven path to decarbonize Ontario’s grid while meeting exploding demand
• Essential for powering EVs, data centers, AI, and heat pumps
• Renewables alone cannot deliver the scale and reliability needed for this transition