nuclear-news

Ontario – Lecce’s nuclear spin –and the $3.3 billion he forgot to mention

Energy Minister Stephen Lecce likes to trumpet how Ontario Power Generation (OPG) finished its Darlington Refurbishment Project on budget and ahead of schedule. It’s a great story. Except it’s not true.

In fact, as OPG has admitted in filings with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the project will run at least 25% over budget and take another six years to fully complete.

As our new fact sheet describes, OPG will have to spend at least another $3.3 billion to ensure the safe operation of the Darlington Nuclear Station until 2055. 

So the truth is that Ontario has maintained a perfect record on nuclear projects: every single one has been over budget and finished behind schedule.

That’s just a little unsettling given the province’s plans to spend about $400 billion on new nuclear projects, including what it hopes will be the world’s largest nuclear station in Port Hope. You’re already paying more for power every month thanks to rising costs for nuclear power. 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 betting on costly nuclear, Minister 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.

Please tell Energy Minister Stephen Lecce that we need to invest in renewables and energy storage – not new nuclear – to make electricity more affordable for Ontario’s families and businesses. 

February 15, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | spinbuster