Project in Port Hope will create 10,500 jobs and add $235 billion to provincial economy

PORT HOPE – As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and advance the development of affordable, reliable and clean nuclear power, Minister Stephen Lecce announced that Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has signed a partnership agreement with the Municipality of Port Hope for new energy generation at the Wesleyville site. The Wesleyville project will support 10,500 jobs across Ontario, including 1,700 new good-paying jobs in Port Hope, representing an average 15 to 20 per cent boost to overall employment levels in the local area, while contributing $235 billion to Ontario’s GDP over its lifespan.

“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 Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “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.”

With electricity demand set to increase by up to 90 per cent on the high side, meeting this growing demand is crucial to avoiding potential future electricity disruptions such as brownouts or blackouts seen in other jurisdictions. Without timely investment in new, dependable power sources, Ontario risks future supply shortfalls, higher energy costs and missed economic opportunities. Early assessments show the Wesleyville site alone could support up to 10,000 megawatts of new nuclear generation—enough to power the equivalent of 10 million homes—highlighting both the scale of the opportunity and the risk of delay.

The Wesleyville site, which is maintained by OPG, located near existing transmission, road and railway infrastructure, and already zoned for new electricity generation, is well-suited to support a large new nuclear site. On January 12, 2026, OPG submitted their Initial Project Description to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada for approval...