Ontario's Clean Energy Mix
Ontario operates Canada's only nuclear power fleet, with 18 CANDU reactors providing approximately 60% of provincial electricity generation. The Bruce Power station near Kincardine hosts eight reactors generating 6,430 megawatts—the world's largest operating nuclear facility by unit count. Ontario Power Generation's Darlington and Pickering stations add nuclear capacity while Niagara Falls and dozens of smaller facilities contribute hydroelectric generation. This nuclear-hydro foundation enables Ontario to maintain over 90% non-emitting electricity generation while supporting North America's second-largest economy.
Renewable energy complements nuclear baseload through wind, solar, and bioenergy installations totaling over 13,000 megawatts. Wind farms across southwestern and eastern Ontario generate approximately 11% of provincial electricity, with major facilities including Wolfe Island (197 MW), Armow Wind (180 MW), and K2 Wind (270 MW). Solar installations range from utility-scale farms to thousands of rooftop systems participating in net metering programs. Ontario's coal elimination in 2014—the first jurisdiction in North America to phase out coal entirely—demonstrated that large-scale renewable integration supports grid reliability while achieving emissions reductions.
Nuclear Power Leadership
Ontario's CANDU reactor fleet represents decades of nuclear engineering excellence. These pressurized heavy-water reactors use natural uranium fuel and heavy water moderator, distinguishing them from light-water reactor designs prevalent elsewhere. CANDU technology enables online refueling, improving capacity factors while maintaining safety through multiple independent shutdown systems. Bruce Power and Ontario Power Generation invest billions in nuclear refurbishment projects extending reactor operating lives 30-35 years, ensuring continued clean baseload electricity generation through 2060 and beyond.
The Darlington Nuclear Generating Station hosts Canada's first operational small modular reactor (SMR)—a GE Hitachi BWRX-300 unit scheduled for commissioning in 2028. This 300-megawatt SMR demonstrates Ontario's commitment to next-generation nuclear technology offering enhanced safety, reduced construction timelines, and potential applications in industrial heating, hydrogen production, and remote community power. SMR deployment could position Ontario as a global nuclear innovation leader while supporting decarbonization across multiple economic sectors.
Renewable Energy Integration
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) manages Ontario's grid, balancing supply and demand across nuclear baseload, hydroelectric flexibility, natural gas peaking, and variable renewable generation. Advanced forecasting predicts wind and solar output, enabling operators to schedule dispatchable resources accordingly. The grid accommodates instantaneous renewable penetrations exceeding 30% during optimal conditions, with battery storage systems and hydroelectric reservoirs providing ramping capability when renewable generation fluctuates.
Ontario's Feed-in Tariff (FIT) and microFIT programs catalyzed renewable energy deployment between 2009-2017, contracting over 5,000 renewable energy projects. These programs established Ontario as North America's renewable energy leader during peak development years, creating supply chains, workforce capabilities, and community engagement models. Current procurement approaches emphasize competitive auctions, Indigenous partnerships, and hybrid projects combining multiple technologies. Battery storage deployment accelerates, with systems providing frequency regulation, voltage support, and capacity services that enhance grid reliability.
Smart Grid Innovation
Ontario pioneered smart grid deployment across residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Smart meters provide interval consumption data supporting time-of-use pricing that incentivizes load shifting to off-peak periods. Distribution utilities deploy automation technologies that detect faults, reroute power, and restore service rapidly—often before customers notice outages. Distributed energy resource management systems integrate rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging with grid operations, optimizing local generation and consumption while maintaining system stability.
Cybersecurity investments protect Ontario's electricity infrastructure from digital threats. Multi-layered defenses include network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, security operations centers, and regular vulnerability assessments. Compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards ensures robust security postures across generation, transmission, and distribution assets. As grid digitalization advances, cybersecurity remains paramount to maintaining public confidence and operational integrity.