The province is planning to refurbish 4 reactors on the Pickering Nuclear Producing Station, which they are saying might prolong its life by one other few a long time.
The reactors have been working because the Nineteen Eighties.
“It’s our nuclear stations, like the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station behind me, that are the workhorses of our grid,” mentioned Power Minister Todd Smith on Tuesday. “In fact, in a typical year, 14 per cent of Ontario’s electricity is produced just at this one station.”
“As our city continues to be a leader for growth and welcome new residents and businesses, the demand for energy infrastructure that can keep pace with our growth becomes even more critical,” mentioned Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe.
Officers will spend 2024 doing planning work; this part will price round $2-billion.
Future prices shall be decided later.
“What has really gotten us to this point is the hard work of our employees, many of whom are behind me, […] who have pushed Pickering to its best performance in its long history,” mentioned Ken Hartwick, president and CEO of Ontario Energy Technology (OPG). “Last year, the station saw its highest generation output since 2019, and its second-highest output as a six-unit plant. In 2022, all six operating units ran simultaneous for 109 consecutive days – a station record.”
Officers presently count on the refurbishments to be finished by the mid-2030s.
Nevertheless, the Canadian Nuclear Security Fee (CNSC) nonetheless wants to provide its stamp of approval.
The plant had beforehand been set to wind down operations by 2025. The province later introduced an extension to 2026, which continues to be ready for approval by the CNSC.
Ontario Greens Chief Mike Schreiner launched the next assertion concerning the plans
“Ford’s Pickering plan will drive up electrical energy prices.
Greens perceive that nuclear energy from the Bruce and Darlington nuclear stations shall be a part of Ontario’s electrical energy combine for many years.
However Pickering is without doubt one of the oldest, worst-performing nuclear vegetation in North America. It is unnecessary for the federal government to pour billions into protecting it operational when lower-cost, cleaner options can be found.
Final yr, the world invested over $1.7 trillion within the vitality transition. Over half of that was in wind and photo voltaic era as a result of they’re the lowest-cost sources of era.
As a substitute of attracting jobs and funding in low-cost renewables, the Ford authorities is making Ontario’s grid dirtier and costlier by prioritizing soiled fossil gasoline vegetation and the pricey, poor-performing Pickering plant.
One of the simplest ways to guard Ontario’s shoppers, economic system and local weather is to spend money on low-cost renewables and bold effectivity applications to assist Ontarians lower your expenses by saving vitality.
The rest is simply placing Ontario additional behind whereas the remainder of the world embraces the clear vitality future.”
Assertion from NDP Critic for Power Peter Tabuns:
“Ontario’s vitality wants are rising. We’re seeing a shift within the demand for vitality as an increasing number of Ontarians search sustainable choices for his or her each day wants. As a province, we have to have a critical dialog about how we are able to guarantee all Ontarians have entry to dependable and reasonably priced vitality.
“It is vital that we get vitality selections proper, particularly when billions in investments are on the road. The Conservatives have to be absolutely clear and launch the feasibility examine and financials for this undertaking. We will’t assess this undertaking with out these particulars. We need to guarantee they’re prioritizing the wants of Ontarians over the rest.
“Ontario has a number of the greatest vitality staff on the planet. With the best vitality plan, grounded in proof and unbiased skilled evaluation, we are able to guarantee our province has the vitality we’d like for the low-carbon future forward of us.
“This government has been laser-focused on expanding gas plants and ignoring the realities of climate change. They have been cynically using Ontarians’ needs to push through climate-denying policies instead of focusing on real, sustainable solutions. Frankly, this government’s judgement cannot be trusted.”
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