Bruce announces net-zero strategy

Speaking at an event held by the Empire Club of Canada yesterday, Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck said the COVID-19 pandemic had demonstrated the importance of tackling "big challenges" and working to make a difference.

"This is what our NZ-2050 strategy is all about. We will only be successful by immediately leveraging our best assets and fostering innovation, which will lead to economic prosperity across Canada," he said. The new strategy builds on the proven foundation Bruce Power has established as Canada's largest private infrastructure and clean energy project, he added.

The five pillars of NZ-2050 are:

• Optimise and leverage existing investments in Canada's largest private-sector infrastructure project - the ongoing refurbishment of the Bruce nuclear power plant - to drive further decarbonisation;
• Foster innovation in new energy technologies including new nuclear and fusion;
• Utlilise nuclear power generation for clean fuels and transportation, with an historic opportunity to contribute to a national hydrogen and clean fuels strategy;
• Create an ecosystem of 'green collar' jobs, including the nuclear, manufacturing, and energy development sectors with a focus on diversity;
• Inspire innovation by supporting strong social responsibility and sustainability, and providing contributions to global health such as life-saving medical isotopes as the world battles COVID-19.

"These pillars will guide our contributions and focus as an organisation as we make historic and long-term investments in Canada's single largest site for clean electricity, which will support thousands of jobs annually in Canada," Rencheck said.

New initiatives

In addition to NZ-2050, Bruce Power has announced a set of initiatives for 2021. These initiatives, which are in conjunction with the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) and the Bruce Power Centre for Next Generation Nuclear, include:

• A study into the next 50 years of the Bruce Power site;
• An exploration by the NII of the role of new nuclear and fusion energy technology as part of Canada's clean energy future alongside existing nuclear;
• A Hydrogen Unity Project, in which the Bruce Power Centre for Next Generation Nuclear will evaluate the opportunity for mass production of hydrogen using nuclear technology and opportunities for alignment with the oil and gas, transportation and electricity generation sectors, exploring economic benefits, regional opportunities and greenhouse gas reductions;
• The Bruce Power Retooling and Economic Recovery Council will launch a Panel Review to determine opportunities for enhancing global health through medical isotopes, leveraging the nuclear supply chain to be self-sufficient with PPE, and further opportunities to expand sterilization using cobalt-60.

"Any strategies need to recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world. Fighting COVID-19, placing greater importance on global human health, along with retooling and economic recovery, need to be integrated with achieving Net Zero," the company said.