Ontario is looking to build the first new large-scale nuclear plant to be constructed in more than 30 years, to meet the growing demand for electricity in the province.

Energy Minister Todd Smith announced today, Wednesday, that the government is exploring the creation of a new plant generating up to 4,800 megawatts, enough to power 4.8 million homes, at the current Bruce Power generating station site on the shores of Lake Huron in Tiverton, Ont.

These plans come as part of the province's efforts to meet electricity demand from non-emitting sources, although the province's short and medium-term reliance is also on more natural gas generation.

A report published late last year by the Independent Electricity System Operator stated that the province could completely eliminate the use of natural gas in the electricity generation system by 2050, starting with a pause in 2027, but this would require about $400 billion in capital spending and more generation including large-scale nuclear plants.

The province has launched consultations on this idea, and Smith says he has heard a lot of support for new nuclear energy to prepare for the increased electricity demand in 2030 from electric vehicles, new electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, and electric arc furnaces for steelmaking.

Smith explained that Bruce Power will now begin community consultations and conduct an environmental assessment for federal approval to determine the feasibility of building another nuclear plant, noting that they currently have the world's largest operating nuclear facility here, with about 6,550 megawatts, providing clean, reliable, emission-free power to the grid and baseload power."