For the last 15 years, there’s been a lot of talk about the possibilities of small modular reactors – mini nuclear plants that could be factory built and power an industrial site or a small city. Now, Ontario is pressing ahead with a plan to build four of them – the first in the western world.
Source: Canada could soon have G7’s first small modular nuclear reactors. Here’s what that means
fta:
Ontario’s government says the plants will help meet energy demands in the future which are expected to rise by 75 per cent by 2050. The province’s minister of energy and mines Stephen Lecce says construction will employ 18,000 people and adds the plants should last 65 years.
cons:
But the project isn’t without its critics. Jack Gibbons is with the Ontario Clean Air Alliance. He says an analysis by his group shows solar and wind power would be much cheaper.
He also believes going with the reactor design by U.S.-based GE Hitachi is not good for national security.
“These new American reactors will require us to import enriched uranium from the United States,” said Gibbons. “That enriched uranium could be cut off by President Trump at any moment.”
