Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a nuclear energy agreement Friday in Buffalo that will bring one gigawatt of advanced nuclear power to upstate New York.
The memorandum of understanding establishes a partnership between Ontario Power Generation and the New York Power Authority to develop small modular reactor technology. The agreement is the first advanced nuclear initiative in New York in more than a generation.
“From building the first small modular reactors in the G7 to leading large-scale nuclear projects, Ontario is proud to share its expertise with New York,” Premier Ford said at a media conference “By working together, we’re creating jobs, growing our economies, and delivering clean, affordable power for families and businesses on both sides of the border.”
Ontario operates 17 of Canada’s 18 nuclear plants and is constructing the first grid-scale small modular reactor in the G7. The province said it will advise New York on site selection, technology, project management, supply chain development, and workforce planning for new nuclear builds.
Hochul said the initiative will support economic growth in New York while providing reliable, low-carbon electricity. “This will be the first plant in New York State over a generation,” she said. The governor added that safety would be a priority and that communities volunteering to host the new facilities will be carefully considered.
The agreement also includes public education on nuclear technology, workforce development, and opportunities for joint projects to create jobs in both Ontario and New York. New York has committed to developing at least 1,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation in upstate regions to meet growing electricity demand and replace aging fossil-fuel plants.
Ontario and New York already have an established energy relationship, with seven interties allowing two-way electricity trade totaling 2,500 megawatts. Between 2021 and 2023, Ontario exported more than 40 terawatt-hours to U.S. states including New York, representing about nine per cent of Ontario’s annual generation.
The construction of Ontario’s small modular reactors is expected to create up to 18,000 jobs and contribute more than $38 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next 65 years, while supporting long-term energy reliability and affordability in the province.
