Port Hope, Ontario — February 12, 2026
Ontario has taken a significant step toward what could become the most ambitious nuclear energy project in the world. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the Municipality of Port Hope have signed a formal partnership agreement to advance the development of a new nuclear generating station at OPG’s 1,300-acre Wesleyville site on the northern shore of Lake Ontario — a project that early assessments suggest could support up to 10,000 megawatts of generating capacity, enough to power the equivalent of 10 million homes.
The announcement was made by Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce and represents the latest milestone in a project that has been building momentum since January 2025, when the province formally asked OPG to begin exploring new nuclear generation at Wesleyville. If completed as envisioned, the Wesleyville nuclear generating station would surpass any currently operating nuclear facility in the world in total output.
A Site Decades in the Making
The Wesleyville site has an unusual history. The station at Wesleyville was originally constructed in the 1970s as an oil-fired station, but was never brought into service after the oil shocks in the late 1970s brought construction to a halt. OPG — and its predecessor Ontario Hydro — has maintained the property ever since, keeping it zoned for electricity generation and preserving its infrastructure potential.
The 1,300-acre site in Port Hope is already zoned for generation, has access to transmission, railways, roads, and is located next to Lake Ontario, which provides cooling water. It also sits in a strategically significant energy corridor: Wesleyville is located adjacent to the Durham Region clean energy corridor, which already hosts two nuclear generating stations — Pickering and Darlington — that have been safely and reliably powering Ontario for decades.
That combination of legacy infrastructure, existing zoning, and proximity to Ontario’s nuclear heartland has positioned Wesleyville as a leading candidate for the province’s next major energy build.
The Partnership Agreement: What It Means
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between OPG and the Municipality of Port Hope formalizes a collaborative framework for advancing the project through the federal Impact Assessment process. Under the agreement, the two parties will work to share information, support community engagement, promote environmental stewardship, and advance local economic development.
On January 12, 2026, OPG submitted its Initial Project Description to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada — a key regulatory milestone. OPG acknowledged that Port Hope and the New Nuclear at Wesleyville site are within the shared traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewa and Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations (WTFNs), and said it worked closely with them to ensure their collaborative input to the document. OPG will continue to engage with Indigenous communities through separate agreements during the planning and assessment process.
To support the municipality’s participation in that process, OPG has provided an additional $4 million in growth readiness funding to Port Hope, along with $500,000 for specific staffing requirements. This builds on an initial $1 million readiness grant announced in early 2025.
“The MOU between the Municipality and OPG represents the kind of forward-looking collaboration our community needs to prepare for future growth as we continue to explore the development of clean energy generation in Port Hope,” said Olena Hankivsky, Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope. “By strengthening partnerships, enhancing community engagement, and supporting sustainable development, we are laying the groundwork for long term economic growth and community wellbeing. This agreement ensures we are ready to meet the opportunities ahead. We’re proud to take this step together to build a resilient, prosperous future for our community.”
Port Hope’s Council had already signalled its support: the Council of the Municipality of Port Hope unanimously passed a motion on December 17, 2024, endorsing continued engagement with OPG and the Ministry of Energy and Electrification on the potential for new energy generation at the site.
Economic Impact: 10,500 Jobs, $235 Billion in GDP
The province is framing the Wesleyville nuclear generating station as a major economic engine for both the local community and the broader Ontario economy. According to the government’s announcement, the project is expected to support 10,500 jobs across the province, including 1,700 new positions in Port Hope — representing a 15 to 20 per cent boost to local employment. Over its lifespan, the project is projected to contribute $235 billion to Ontario’s GDP.
“With more chaos coming from the White House, now is exactly the time to double down on Canada – putting our workers, technology, and supply chain first,” said Minister Lecce. “This agreement is an important step forward as we build the world’s largest nuclear station, creating over 10,000 good-paying jobs and reliable power for up to 10 million homes. We express thanks to Port Hope for the partnership with OPG, as we work together to boost both the local and Canadian economy, with over 90 per cent of nuclear investment stamped with Made in Canada.”
The Municipality of Port Hope would also benefit from increased municipal property taxes from the station, which according to the Conference Board of Canada are estimated to be $10.5 million annually.
Local MPP David Piccini welcomed the news: “Advancing new nuclear generation at the Wesleyville site will bring good paying local jobs, drive economic growth, and help build a stronger future for our community. This project creates real opportunities for local workers and businesses, while ensuring we have reliable, made in Ontario power for generations to come.”
Why Ontario Needs New Nuclear Capacity
Ontario’s push for the Wesleyville nuclear generating station is rooted in a structural challenge: the province’s electricity demand is set to rise sharply. With electricity demand projected to grow by as much as 75% between now and 2050, there will be a need for new generation. Ontario’s own government estimates suggest demand could increase by up to 90 per cent on the high side — a trajectory driven by population growth, the electrification of transportation and heating, and the expansion of energy-intensive industries like data centres and advanced manufacturing.
Nuclear power currently provides approximately 50 per cent of Ontario’s electricity supply and is a cornerstone of the province’s reputation for having one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world. Without additional large-scale baseload generation, Ontario risks future supply shortfalls, higher energy costs, and lost economic opportunity as other jurisdictions compete aggressively for clean-energy industries.
Industry leaders have rallied around the project. George Christidis, President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association, noted: “Meeting Ontario’s rapidly growing electricity demand requires decisive action, and this MOU reflects the shared understanding that collaboration today is essential to delivering clean and reliable power for future generations. Not only will the Wesleyville project deliver the dependable, baseload power our system needs, but it will generate long-term, good-paying jobs both at the site and within our talented Canadian supply chain. The time to act is now.”
A Generational Timeline
Despite the momentum, the path from MOU to megawatts is a long one. According to OPG, it could take around 15 years before the first generating unit is connected to the grid: a potential development roadmap shared by the company envisages units entering service in the early to mid 2040s. If the government decides to move forward with a nuclear power station on the Wesleyville land, it would be expected to have a 95-year life.
Several years of impact assessment, regulatory review, technology selection, and community consultation lie ahead before any shovels enter the ground. The current MOU specifically covers the Impact Assessment phase and the early stages of planning — not a final construction commitment.
Nicolle Butcher, President and CEO of OPG, underscored the importance of the community partnership in navigating that long runway: “This important milestone, in a potential new nuclear development that is so critical to Ontario, is a testament to the strength of our relationship with this community. Working collaboratively with Port Hope, we can be sure the Municipality is able to engage fully on behalf of its residents in the multi-year process to assess and develop the site.”
To help educate the public during this extended process, OPG has established a Nuclear Discovery Centre in Port Hope at 115 Toronto Road, where residents can learn about nuclear power and its potential benefits. The Discovery Centre will serve as a venue for community members and Indigenous Nations to access up-to-date information, participate in activities, and share their feedback.
Part of a Broader Nuclear Strategy
Wesleyville is not Ontario’s only nuclear ambition. The province is supporting the development and deployment of small modular reactor (SMR) units at OPG’s Darlington site, and pre-development work has already begun to site the first large-scale nuclear build in the province since 1993 at the existing Bruce nuclear site. This is in addition to ongoing refurbishments of Ontario’s existing nuclear fleet, extending their operating periods by a further 30 to 35 years each.
OPG is also exploring its Nanticoke and Lambton sites for generation potential to help meet Ontario’s growing demand for electricity.
The Wesleyville nuclear generating station sits at the centre of this broader strategy. Vince Brescia, President and CEO of the Ontario Energy Association, offered this perspective: “As electricity demand continues to rise, long-term planning and timely investment in reliable, emissions-free power are essential to keeping Ontario competitive and secure. This agreement demonstrates the importance of collaboration between government, communities, and industry to support jobs, economic growth, and a resilient energy system for the future.”
Erveina Gosalci, Founder and CEO of the Canadian Association of Small Modular Reactors, added that the project signals a maturing of Ontario’s nuclear ambitions: “Ontario’s leadership, building on a strong refurbishment track record and now extending into SMRs and new large-scale nuclear, shows how nuclear plans are being translated into real projects. New nuclear investment builds the infrastructure needed to deliver clean, reliable baseload power while anchoring industrial growth and creating long-term, high-value jobs as electricity demand rises. Ontario is leading the way in turning nuclear ambition into reality and in building a world-class nuclear supply chain and expertise that will benefit Canada for decades to come.”
What Comes Next
The immediate priorities under the MOU include completing OPG’s Initial Project Description review through the federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, continuing engagement with Indigenous communities under separate agreements, and building out the community infrastructure needed to support a project of this scale. OPG’s submission of the Initial Project Description on January 12, 2026 formally initiated the federal review process — a necessary precondition to any further regulatory or licensing steps.
Ontario’s nuclear industry currently supports approximately 80,000 jobs province-wide. If Wesleyville proceeds as envisioned, it would represent the single largest addition to that ecosystem in the province’s history, and potentially the most consequential nuclear energy project anywhere in the world.
About The Author
