Canada Targets up to 10 New Reactors Amid Trade Tensions
Ottawa aims for domestic supply chain dominance as Ontario prepares to select technology for 14.8 GW of new nuclear capacity.
Key points
- Natural Resources Canada plans for up to 10 new large reactors and Candu modernization by 2030.
- Ontario will select technology for 14.8 GW of new capacity, with bids from Candu Monark and AP1000.
- The federal strategy explicitly advocates for majority domestic supply chain participation in nuclear projects.
Canada is positioning nuclear power as a strategic lever to bolster domestic industry amidst escalating trade friction with the United States. According to Energy Intelligence, senior officials view the sector as a critical component of national economic security, moving beyond mere energy generation to influence broader industrial policy.
The federal government's Nuclear Energy Strategy, released by Natural Resources Canada in June, outlines an ambitious expansion plan. It calls for the construction of up to ten new large reactors, the modernization of the domestic Candu design by 2030, and the export of Candu technology to at least four new countries by 2040. The strategy explicitly states that the government will advocate for the majority of supply chain participation to remain within Canada.
Ontario site becomes primary test case
The immediate challenge lies in Ontario, where the provincial government is preparing to select reactor technology for up to 14.8 gigawatts of new capacity. This includes 10 gigawatts at the Wesleyville site developed by Ontario Power Generation and a further 4.8 gigawatts adjacent to the Bruce Power plant. The decision will serve as the first major real-world test of the federal government's goals for domestic control and technological sovereignty.
Two major bids are currently in contention for the Ontario project. AtkinsRealis is offering its Candu Monark, while Westinghouse is proposing its AP1000. Notably, Westinghouse is co-owned by Canadian firms Cameco and Brookfield, adding a layer of complexity to the domestic versus foreign technology debate.
Official strategy prioritizes domestic supply chains
Frederic Beauregard-Tellier, director-general of the Nuclear Energy and Infrastructure Security Branch at Natural Resources Canada, discussed these priorities on the sidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference in Vienna. He emphasized that the strategy is designed to ensure that economic benefits from nuclear expansion accrue primarily to Canadian workers and companies, particularly in the context of current trade disputes.
This approach contrasts with traditional procurement methods that might prioritize cost or speed over industrial policy. By anchoring nuclear expansion to domestic supply chain requirements, Ottawa aims to create a self-reinforcing industrial base that is less vulnerable to external trade shocks and geopolitical pressures from its largest trading partner.
Watch for Ontario procurement decisions
The next critical step will be the formal selection process in Ontario. Observers should watch for how the provincial government weighs the competing bids from AtkinsRealis and Westinghouse, and whether the federal government’s advocacy for domestic supply chain participation carries decisive weight in the final decision. The outcome will set a precedent for future nuclear projects across the country.
Additionally, the progress of the Candu modernization program is a key indicator of whether Canada can meet its 2030 targets. Success in this area would validate the strategy’s technical feasibility and strengthen Canada’s position in international nuclear markets, potentially influencing the four-country export goal by 2040.
