Canada and nuclear energy

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East I have spoken on the importance of nuclear energy several times in past articles, in the House of Commons and at some public events. During the time I was an MP in the House of Commons in Canada, I raised the importance of Canadian Nuclear energy on several occasions. I tried to impress upon my colleagues, the need to continue developing it, and the tremendous advantages of recycling spent nuclear fuel. The latter is a hidden resource of inestimable value. Unfortunately, this advocacy lead to me being sidelined, ignored and looked upon as a kind of strange entity. I excuse my colleagues because they were not technical people, and the civil servants and staff advising them were frequently incompetent. However, I cannot forget the ignorance displayed, and the serious mishandling of the future of nuclear energy in Canada. Now, more than a decade later, the powers-that-be, are awakening to the possibilities of nuclear energy. Will wonders never cease!? Ontario is exploring the possibility of building new, large-scale nuclear plants in order to meet increasing demand for electricity and phase out natural gas generation. A report late last year by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) found that the province could fully eliminate natural gas from the electricity system by 2050, starting with a moratorium in 2027, but it will require about $400 billion in capital spending and more generation of nuclear energy, including new, large-scale nuclear plants.Decarbonizing the grid, in addition to new nuclear, will require more conservation efforts, more renewable energy sources and more energy storage, the report concluded. The IESO said work should start now to assess the reliability of new and relatively untested technologies and fuels intended to replace natural gas. To accomplish such a radical change in how power is generated, we will need to set up large, new generation sources such as nuclear plants and hydroelectric facilities. The province has not committed to a natural gas moratorium or phase-out, or to building new nuclear facilities other than its small modular reactor plans, but it is now consulting on the prospect. A document recently posted to the government's environmental registry asks for input on how best to engage the public and Indigenous communities on the planning and location of new generation and storage facilities. Building new nuclear plants is "one pathway" toward a fully electrified system, Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith said in an interview. "It's a possibility, for sure, and that's why we're looking for the feedback from Ontarians," he said. "We're considering all of the next steps." Not surprisingly, interest groups such as the Environmental Defence oppose new nuclear builds, as well as the continued reliance on natural gas. "The IESO's report is peddling the continued use of natural gas under the guise of a decarbonization plan, and it takes as a given the ramping up of gas generation ... and continues to rely on gas generated electricity until 2050, which is embarrassingly late," said Lana Goldberg, Environmental Defence's Ontario climate program manager. "Building new nuclear is absurd when we have safe and much cheaper alternatives such as wind and solar power." Does Ms Goldberg live in Canada or some tropical paradise where there is constant sunshine and the trade winds operate like clockwork? Is she so naïve as to dismiss the reality of the harsh and cloudy climate we enjoy here, that make solar and wind energy so inefficient and unreliable in Canada? The IESO has said the flexibility natural gas provides is needed to keep the system stable while new and relatively untested technologies are explored and new infrastructure gets built, but also as an electricity supply crunch looms. Ontario is facing a shortfall of electricity with the nuclear plant in Pickering set to be retired, others being refurbished, and increasing demands put upon the system by such innovations as electric vehicles, new electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, electric arc furnaces for steelmaking, and growth in the greenhouse and mining industries. Therefore, the need to have more nuclear plants is becoming a reality. I just wonder how long it will take for this realization to sink in and for effective action to be taken in Canada, and especially in Ontario. Other countries in the G7 and European Union are already thinking of building more nuclear plants. In France for example: President Macron recently said, "What our country needs, and the conditions are there, is the rebirth of France's nuclear industry." Promising to accelerate the development of solar and offshore wind power, Macron also said he wanted to extend the lifespan of older nuclear plants. In the world's most nuclear-intensive country, he proposes to extend the life of certain reactors to more than 50 years (currently rated for more than 40 years), provided it was safe. Is this something Canada and Ontario can learn from? President Macron's thinking has been reshaped by the European Union's ambitious goals for carbon neutrality within three decades. This goal puts renewed focus on energy forms that emit fewer, or zero, greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. Nuclear is one of these forms. So, whether for better or worse, Europe is moving to considering nuclear energy more and more. Is Canada up to the task? I hope that this will be a wake up call for Canada. Once at the forefront of development in nuclear energy reactors and power plants, Canada is presently lagging far behind on the international scene. Maybe the recent turmoil in the world will be a warning call for Canadian politicians to come out of hibernation and start looking out for the interests of Canadians first. We are a rich country and must make it a priority to use our resources wisely for the benefit of future generations. What do you think?