Ontario's plan to build world's largest nuclear station has people worried

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) revealed plans earlier this year to build what would stand as the single-largest nuclear station on the planet, and major concerns are already being raised about the planned project just west of Port Hope, Ont.

Just not the concerns you're probably thinking of.

The proposed New Nuclear at Wesleyville Project is set to begin construction as early as the 2030s, with an expected operational date falling sometime between 2040 and 2048. 

Projected to deliver up to 10,000 MW of capacity, the project would eclipse Japan's 
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant (out of commission since the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami) as the world's largest nuclear power station by capacity, far exceeding the latter's net capacity of approximately 7,965 MW.

Nuclear energy, while historically safe, is known to cause more fear among the population than other generation methods. Ontario, afterall, was home to the world's first-ever nuclear meltdown with the 1952 Chalk River incident.

However, it's not fears of nuclear catastrophe that have critics questioning the project. 

Renewable energy advocacy group Ontario Clean Air Alliance has been a vocal critic of the proposed plant, claiming that the province's figures for nuclear energy don't add up, and warning that the public could be on the hook for billions in added costs, basing the claim on previous budget overruns.

"The truth is that Ontario has maintained a perfect record on nuclear projects: every single one has been over budget and finished behind schedule," reads a statement from Ontario Clean Air Alliance.

The group argues that the province's plan to spend approximately $400 billion on new nuclear projects — including the enormous Port Hope project — will hit the province's tax base hard.

"You're already paying more for power every month thanks to rising costs for nuclear power," states the group, adding that "All the happy talk in the world isn't going to change the reality of eye-watering costs and huge financial risks when it comes to new nuclear.

Instead of developing new nuclear energy projects, the Ontario Clean Air Alliance argues that Ontario's Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce, should "direct OPG to work with First Nations to develop offshore wind in the Great Lakes and solar farms at OPG's generating station sites in Port Hope, Nanticoke and St. Clair Township."

The group is calling on the public to petition Lecce in hopes of redirecting the province's investments into other renewable sources.