OPG explores revitalizing Wesleyville site into new nuclear facility

Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is exploring the possibility of transforming the long-dormant Wesleyville Generating Station near Port Hope into a new nuclear facility.

At Wesleyville, the Town of Port Hope and First Nations have expressed an interest to explore the potential for new nuclear generation with OPG.

With a footprint of 1,300 acres—the equivalent of more than 900 American football fields—Wesleyville could be an ideal site for new large nuclear in Ontario. The site is also already zoned for electricity generation, has proximity to transmission, and is ideally located within a Southern Ontario region that has access to necessary resources and is experiencing significant growth.

Based on OPG’s early assessments, the site could host up to 10,000 MW of new nuclear generation, which could power the equivalent of 10 million homes.

“OPG is pleased to engage with First Nations and the Town of Port Hope to explore the potential for new nuclear power generation at our Wesleyville site,” said Nicolle Butcher, OPG’s President and CEO. “We are committed to a transparent, thorough process with many opportunities for input, and to building strong relationships and partnerships with host communities, neighbours, and First Nations on whose traditional territory we operate.”

As a first step, OPG and the Province of Ontario will ensure the municipality and First Nations have the necessary resources and capacity funding to participate in a multi-year process to assess the site. This work will help identify a suitable generation technology and complete a range of Impact Assessment activities.

In addition to power, a new nuclear station at Wesleyville could generate important economic and associated benefits, including attracting co-industries to the site.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, a potential nuclear development would contribute $235 billion to Ontario’s GDP over an estimated 95-year project life, which includes design, construction, operation, and maintenance. It could also support 10,500 jobs across Ontario, including 1,700 new jobs in Port Hope, representing an average 15 to 20% boost to overall employment levels in the local area.

The project could also increase economic and job opportunities for First Nations, who will have an opportunity for equity participation in any generation project.

“As we move ahead with site exploration, OPG will strive to listen to the priorities, concerns, and hopes of all stakeholders and rights holders involved,” Butcher affirmed. “And we will only advance development with their express support.

“We commit to taking this same approach at our sites in Nanticoke and Lambton as we continue discussions with communities to determine their support for new generation opportunities there.”