While daily political controversies often dominate headlines, the most enduring legacy of Premier Doug Ford's government in Ontario may well be its monumental commitment to securing the province's long-term electricity supply through a massive nuclear expansion.
A Historic Bet on Nuclear Power
The scale of Ontario's current energy strategy is unprecedented in the province's history. The Ford government has already committed approximately $73 billion to construct new nuclear reactors and refurbish existing ones, with plans for two additional nuclear plants. In total, this ambitious nuclear initiative is projected to exceed $100 billion in investment.
This colossal financial undertaking represents a deliberate and costly, yet strategically sound, approach to ensuring Ontario has sufficient, reliable power to fuel future economic expansion and accommodate significant population growth. It exemplifies the kind of long-term governmental planning that is frequently absent from political agendas focused on short-term gains.
Addressing Ontario's Future Energy Demand
The driving force behind this historic investment is a stark projection: Ontario estimates it will require 75% more electricity by 2050. This surge in demand is attributed to multiple converging factors, including the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, widespread adoption of electric vehicles, the shift to electric heat pumps, and continued manufacturing expansion.
The central challenge lies in generating this immense additional power without resorting heavily to emission-producing sources like natural gas, which would undermine climate goals.
Why Nuclear Over Renewables?
Advocates for wind and solar energy often propose renewables as a faster and cheaper solution for expansion. While these sources have a role to play, the Ontario government's analysis highlights two critical shortcomings for meeting baseline demand.
First, neither wind nor solar can provide a steady, 24/7 flow of baseline power. Even with advancements in battery storage technology, they remain a less reliable and more cumbersome primary power solution compared to nuclear generation.
The second, and perhaps more decisive factor, is land use. The government provides a compelling comparison: a new nuclear plant planned for Port Hope will occupy about five square kilometres to generate 10,000 megawatts. To produce the same output using solar power would require an estimated 500 square kilometres. Wind power, the government states, would need five times more land than solar.
This vast land requirement for industrial-scale renewable farms raises significant concerns about the impact on Ontario's rural landscapes and communities, pitting one form of environmental priority against another.
Economic and Environmental Payoff
Beyond providing a dense, emissions-free power source, the nuclear expansion promises substantial economic benefits. The government estimates the construction and operation of the expanded nuclear fleet will create approximately 150,000 jobs.
As a job-creation strategy, this approach is viewed by some analysts as more strategic than the government's other economic tactics, such as offering substantial subsidies to attract foreign automotive companies. Unlike those deals, the nuclear investment results in infrastructure and expertise that Ontario will own and control for decades to come.
This bold nuclear vision, set into motion during Premier Ford's tenure and highlighted by commentators like Randall Denley in January 2024, is poised to shape Ontario's energy landscape and economic trajectory for generations, solidifying its place as a defining policy of the current provincial government.
