Nuclear Power in Canada

Canadian Nuclear Labs at Chalk River, Ontario, has been designing, building and experimenting with nuclear reactors since the Second World War. Canada has been using and refining its nuclear fleet ever since and has developed a strong industry with highly skilled people. Canadian Nuclear Labs continues to do world-class research on how our nuclear science and technology can save and improve the lives of people around the globe.

Current energy mix in Canada

Nuclear power from Canada’s 19 nuclear reactors work with renewable sources like hydroelectricity to generate more than three-quarters of Canada’s electricity grid carbon emission free.

Nuclear energy is clean, reliable and affordable

Nuclear energy is vital to building a clean, low-carbon future. Prominent scientists and environmentalists agree that nuclear power is one of the few reliable energy sources that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The world’s current use of nuclear power already reduces emissions by about 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year by avoiding fossil fuels. As nuclear power improves its partnership with other low-carbon sources, it will continue to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

Nuclear power stations are the workhorses of the power grid. Because they constantly work, they provide continuous and reliable electricity production, which allows for the expansion of other forms of power generation that operate more intermittently.

Nuclear power is cost-competitive with other forms of electricity generation because fuel costs are low and stable, and make up a small proportion of the total cost of nuclear power.

Nuclear energy can enable renewables

Nuclear power, working with wind and solar, will allow us to create clean, carbon-free electricity grids. Electricity on the grid must be used immediately after it is created, so this partnership meets our power needs when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind is not blowing.

Canada’s nuclear reactors provide baseload power , which ensures a steady amount of electricity to the grid, allowing room for renewables to operate in response to changing demand for electricity.

The coming nuclear reactor designs have improved capability for load following, that is, they will respond to changing electricity demand throughout the day. This would enable nuclear power to work even more efficiently with renewables, making it unnecessary to burn fossil fuels to make up the difference between electricity supply and demand. These exciting advancements are essential to fighting climate change.

SMR potential in Canada

Canada has always been a leader in nuclear science and technology and is well positioned to continue to be a global leader in developing and deploying small modular reactors (SMR). With more than 60 years of science and technology innovation, a world-class regulator and a solid domestic supply chain, Canada’s nuclear industry is poised to capture a significant share of the emerging global market, which is estimated to be $150 billion per year by 2040.