Canadian Power Generation Sector – Civil Nuclear Present and Future

Learn about upcoming business opportunities in the sector, the COVID-19 impact and the expected rebound, and learn about tools and resources to support your company’s market entry to Canada directly from the experts!

Canada is the biggest and most attractive export market for U.S. The second largest economy in North America, Canada is the 10th largest economy in the world and has a steady economic growth. Per our NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement) almost all U.S. products enter the Canadian market duty free.

Canada has a strong infrastructure and manufacturing sector supported by an electrical power system with approximately 135 GW installed capacity of power generation. This includes also a fleet of 19 operational nuclear reactor units which provide approximately 15% of the generated electricity. A favorable business climate and regulatory environment secure an attractive market very similar to U.S.

The Government of Canada oversees the policy alignments while the Provincial Governments have full ownership of the regulatory environment of the electrical system for the respective Province.

Canada is in an approximately $20 billion investment program for refurbishment of the nuclear reactors fleet, over the next 10 years.

The nuclear power generation is supported by the federal Government which started also a Small Modular Reactors Program. The Province of Ontario has all the Canadian active nuclear reactors which provide approximately 60% of the generated electricity in the province. OPG (Ontario Power Generation) is a Crown Corporation (owned by the Government of Ontario, but by law functioning based on commercial legislation without Government interference). OPG is the owner of the nuclear reactors and the main operator. OPG started a refurbishment program to extend the life of the reactors it operates, and the Provincial Government committed $10 Billion for it. In addition, OPG has also a project to develop Small Modular Reactors at a site for which already has a license for nuclear operations.

The other operator in the province, Bruce Power, has 8 nuclear reactors under operation and is also refurbishing them for life extension in a secured investment of another $10 Billion.

The Canadian civil nuclear sector developments represent possible attractive procurement opportunities for U.S. exporters.