Bruce commits to net-zero operations by 2027
31 March 2021
Bruce Power has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from its site operations by 2027, building on its previously announced NZ-2050 plan. The company says it is the first nuclear operator in North America to announce such an ambitious commitment.
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Bruce Power's eight Candu units unerpinned the phaseout of coal in Ontario (Image: Bruce Power)
"One of the largest emissions reduction initiatives in a generation - the phaseout of coal in Ontario - was made possible by Bruce Power, and we are building on this leadership role by recognising that we will be successful in our fight against climate change by leveraging our existing assets as part of our clean energy agenda," Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck said. "Last fall, we released our NZ-2050 Strategy outlining our contribution to a Net Zero Canada by 2050, and today we are announcing a key milestone in the implementation of this agenda."
While the company produces large volumes of emissions-free electricity that is critical to Ontario staying off coal, as well as continued system reliability, it is taking the next step to minimise and offset its emissions from routine undertakings such as vehicles, machinery, buildings, and equipment. It will work with an external third party over the course of 2021 to obtain "enhanced insight" into emission-reduction projects that make the most sense from a business planning standpoint, and is currently scoping out ideas that include building efficiencies, electrifying some of its vehicle fleet, and exploring and actively supporting carbon sequestration in the region.
"Ontario is home to one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world, with more than 90% of our electricity generated with no GHG-emissions," Ontario's Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford said. "Bruce Power has been a strong leader in support of Ontario's emissions-reduction efforts and our government is proud to continue that work alongside Bruce Power as we meet the commitments in our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan."
Summit
The company will host a Clean Energy Innovation and Recovery Summit this September, which will feature updates on "game-changing opportunities" from the Bruce Power Centre for Next Generation Nuclear Technology at the Nuclear Innovation Institute.
"Building back better means building a low-emissions energy future and a national economy that creates jobs and leaves no energy worker behind," said Seamus O'Regan, Canada's minister of natural resources. "Canada is a Tier-1 nuclear nation and will reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Ambitious leadership like that being shown here by Bruce Power will get us there."
NZ-2050 is Bruce's five-pillar strategy is based on optimising and leveraging existing investments in the ongoing Bruce nuclear plant refurbishment to drive further decarbonisation; fostering innovation in new energy technologies including new nuclear and fusion energy; using nuclear power generation to produce clean fuels and electrify industrial processes and transportation; creating an ecosystem of "green collar" jobs; and inspiring innovation by supporting strong social responsibility and sustainability.
Researched and written by World Nuclear News