Net Zero 2050

Logo for Net Zero 2050

At Bruce Power, we are uniquely positioned to help Canada achieve its economic and climate change objectives between now and 2050.

Today, Canada is a leader in nuclear innovation and we need to ensure that status doesn’t change so that future generations will benefit. The Canadian nuclear industry is growing – from isotopes that sterilize medical equipment around the world and treat various cancers, to new small modular reactor and fusion technology to power and heat communities, to hydrogen and clean fuel production, and enabling electrification of industrial processes and transportation.

Powering the future – The role of Bruce Power

  • Nuclear enabled the world’s largest GHG-reduction initiative by closing coal-fired generation plants to clean Ontario’s air. 

  • Nuclear and Hydrogen provide an Integrated Solution.
illustration showing possible uses for hydrogen beyond current use

“There’s no path to Net Zero without nuclear power.”

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Natural Resources

Bruce Power’s Net Zero 2050 strategy is building off the strong foundation of Canada’s largest clean energy infrastructure program on our site. That program has contributed significantly to the nuclear sector’s successful phasing out of coal-powered generation in Ontario – the largest emissions-reduction initiative in Canada this century.

NetZero 2050 Strategy Pillars
Number One

Optimize and leverage existing investments in Canada’s largest private-sector infrastructure project to drive further decarbonization.

Number 2

Foster innovation in new energy technologies including new nuclear and fusion energy.

Number 3

Utilize nuclear power generation to produce clean fuels and electrify industrial processes and transportation with an historic opportunity to contribute to a national hydrogen and clean fuels strategy.

Number 4

Create an ecosystem of Green collar jobs including the nuclear, manufacturing, energy development sectors with a focus on diversity with more representation from women, visible minorities and Indigenous peoples.

Number 5
Strong social responsibility and inspire innovation by supporting sustainability and recognizing that any strategy needs to fight COVID-19 in parallel and provide contributions to global health. 

In addition to the NZ-2050 Strategy, we also announced several initiatives in 2021 with the joint Nuclear Innovation Institute/Bruce Power Centre for Next Generation Nuclear. They include:

  • A study into the next 50 years of the Bruce Power site – as the world’s largest operating nuclear facility with assets that can be optimized, enhanced, leveraged and life extended, Bruce Power can have a profound impact on Canada’s clean energy future.
  • The NII will explore the role of new nuclear and fusion energy technology as part of Canada’s clean energy future alongside existing nuclear. This builds off an announcement with Westinghouse in October 2020 on the potential for micro-reactors.
  • A Hydrogen Unity Project – at a time when there are divisions in Canada on energy issues, we need solutions that can be a win for all provinces. The Centre will evaluate the opportunity for mass production of hydrogen using nuclear technology and evaluate opportunities for alignment with the oil and gas, transportation and electricity generation sectors. This will explore economic benefits, regional opportunities and greenhouse gas reductions.
  • Any strategies need to recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world. Fighting COVID-19, placing greater importance on global human health along with retooling and economic recovery, need to be integrated with achieving Net Zero. The Bruce Power Retooling and Economic Recovery Council will launch a Panel Review to determine opportunities for enhancing global health through isotopes, leveraging the nuclear supply chain to be self-sufficient with PPE and further opportunities to expand sterilization using Cobalt-60.