Ontario Construction News staff writer
A proposed new nuclear generating project at Bruce Power would deliver long-term economic and employment benefits for Ontario and Canada, according to an independent economic impact analysis released Monday.
The analysis, prepared by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Prism Economics and Analysis for the Nuclear Innovation Institute, examined the potential impacts of the proposed Bruce C Project over an estimated 80-year operating life.
The report estimates the project would contribute more than $217 billion to Ontario’s gross domestic product over its lifespan. Regionally, it would add an average of $2.3 billion annually to GDP in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties, an area known as the Clean Energy Frontier.
Nationally, the project is projected to contribute nearly $238 billion to Canada’s GDP. About $61 billion of that total would be generated during site preparation and construction, with more than $176 billion attributed to long-term operations.
The Bruce C Project would add up to 4,800 megawatts of new nuclear generating capacity. If built, Bruce Power’s total capacity would increase to about 12,000 megawatts, making it the largest nuclear generating facility in the world. The proposal is currently undergoing a federal integrated impact assessment.
During the construction phase, the analysis estimates an annual average of 18,900 full-time equivalent jobs would be created or supported across Canada, including nearly 15,900 in Ontario. Once operational, the project would support an average of more than 6,700 full-time equivalent jobs annually nationwide, with about 5,900 in Ontario.
Over the full life of the project, more than 10,100 full-time equivalent jobs would be supported each year in Canada, the report estimates, including roughly 8,700 in Ontario. Associated annual labour income is projected at about $1 billion nationally, including nearly $900 million in Ontario.
The analysis also projects annual municipal tax revenues of about $55 million for communities in the Clean Energy Frontier region.
Ontario Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the findings highlight the role nuclear power plays in supporting the province’s economy and energy system.
Bruce Power officials said the project would help support long-term electricity supply and employment, particularly in southwestern Ontario, noting that the company’s existing operations and life-extension work already support about 27,000 direct and indirect jobs annually.
No construction timeline or final investment decision has been announced. Any approval of the project would be subject to federal and provincial regulatory processes.
