Canada plans 'nuclear renaissance' with up to 10 reactors built by 2040
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Canada plans to build up to 10 nuclear reactors by 2040, costing over $100 billion.
Energy Minister Tim Hodgson announced a national nuclear strategy aiming for a "new civilian nuclear renaissance" to double Canada's electricity grid capacity by 2050. The plan includes starting construction on two large-scale reactors by 2035, with at least one outside Ontario; five more planned or under development by 2040; and a Canadian-made microreactor deployed by the late 2030s. The strategy also targets selling Candu reactors to at least four new international markets and doubling uranium exports. Officials estimated costs could exceed $100 billion, with funding sources including the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Canada Growth Fund. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the announcement, saying "an announcement will not build anything." Prime Minister Mark Carney was not shown the strategy due to an ethics screen related to his previous holdings in Brookfield, which competes with Candu.
What commenters are saying
Commenters are split. Some support the plan, noting Canada's uranium reserves, CANDU design experience, and need for baseload power to complement renewables. Others are skeptical, arguing the timeline is ambitious and the cost enormous. One commenter criticizes the title for implying operational reactors by 2040, noting the plan only aims to start construction. Several debate Alberta's renewable energy policies, with one energy trader disputing claims that Alberta banned renewables, while another accuses the Alberta government of corruptly favoring oil and gas. Another commenter points out that large reactors are more economical than small modular reactors.