Next step toward nuclear power in Nanticoke
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
J.P. Antonacci
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The province is “seriously considering” a nuclear reactor for Nanticoke, Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said on July 29 at the site of the former Ontario Power Generation coal-fired power plant in Haldimand County.
“We really see potential here to attract investment and create jobs,” Lecce said, adding the province wants to “breathe new life” into the site while helping meet Ontario’s future electricity needs, with demand projected to increase by as much as 90 per cent by 2050.
“We need to generate a ton of power,” Lecce said. “We have a serious challenge and a massive opportunity.”
Nanticoke was one of three OPG-owned properties shortlisted for a small modular reactor in 2024.
On Wednesday, Lecce announced OPG and Haldimand County will sign a formal memorandum of understanding and begin consultation about energy-generation options at the site by Lake Erie.
He stressed the province has not decided how electricity would be generated at the Nanticoke site, saying a nuclear reactor offers more bang for the buck but a gas plant could be brought online more quickly.
Noting that a small modular reactor has an expected lifespan of 65 years, Lecce said the province wants to craft a “generational plan” for what he called a jewel of land ideally suited for “firm baseload” energy generation. (Firm baseload refers to power sources like gas and nuclear that are available no matter the weather).
OPG will contribute $500,000 toward the consultation process. OPG senior vice-president Kim Lauritsen said that money could fund feasibility studies to determine Haldimand’s infrastructure needs related to a future power plant.
Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley called the “significant” grant from OPG “the start of a conversation” about options for the sprawling Nanticoke property.
The province likes the 900-acre site because it is an industrial property already zoned for electricity production up to 3,000 megawatts and has transmission lines left over from the coal plant, which came down in 2018.
Haldimand council is on board with exploring options for Nanticoke and OPG has promised to consult with local First Nations.
“We will only move forward in partnership,” Lecce said.
Simcoe and District Chamber of Commerce president Renee VanKooten said the potential economic benefits of a new power station at Nanticoke could extend into neighbouring Norfolk County.
“We see this as a chance to strengthen the entire region,” VanKooten said.
Lecce did not say whether a decision on building a nuclear plant in Nanticoke would be influenced by whether the province issues a minister’s zoning order regarding a controversial development proposed for Nanticoke. That project would see 10,000 new homes built on industrial land near the Stelco steelworks.
“I’m not entering that debate,” the minister said. “I’m here to generate power.”
Not far from the entrance to the OPG site, Ray Spencer was enjoying the view of Lake Erie from the cottage on Hickory Beach Lane he and his wife have called home for 25 years.
Spencer said he is not perturbed by the idea of a nuclear plant opening down the road, saying nuclear power generation is a “viable” option.
“Nuclear energy has matured to a point where it’s safe,” Spencer said.
But with many proposals having been bandied about for the OPG property over the years and coming to naught, Spencer, 75, doubts he will see a nuclear plant come online in Nanticoke during in his lifetime.
“Unfortunately, because Canada needs to giddy up and get going on projects,” he said.
- J.P. Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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