Blog: Facts and figures on the Bruce Nuclear Generation Station

Fact File

Located: Near Kincardine and the Bruce County

Size: 2300 Acres

Cost to build: 14.4 billion Canadian dollars

Current operational units: 8

Annual Power Generation: 45,000 Giga-Watt Hours (GWh)

The Bruce Nuclear Generation Station was originally constructed and commissioned by Ontario Hydro over the course of nine years from 1960 to 1969. Beginning with Douglas Point, Canada’s first commercial nuclear reactor, the plant has since grown and expanded with many additional units and expansions.

These colour coded containers are used for storing nuclear waste before it is burned or compacted.

This is one of many radiation sensors which send signals to the site workers if it is tripped

This pipe on the outside of the Western Waste Facility is part of the incineration process

These older structure were used to hold nuclear waste before the migration to the metal capped units

The Bruce Nuclear site has also been a constant source of both power and employment to the surrounding settlements of Lake Huron, providing over 4000 jobs both on and off site. According to their website, it is currently providing 36.1% of power for the province of Ontario, as well as injecting billions into the nation’s economy.

Several companies play a role in the operation of the Bruce Nuclear Site. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) took over operations from Ontario Hydro in 1999. The OPG itself is a Crown Corporation, entirely owned by the government of Ontario. Regulation of the plant is handled by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization which was formed in 2002.

The nuclear station is currently the biggest power plant of its kind in the world as well as the biggest employer in the Bruce County. The OPG’s current operating license for the site will run until May 2020, with a further energy plan alongside refurbishments and updates to the facilities planned in the years to follow.