Ontario has signed a memorandum of understanding that will see the province help New York State with the development and deployment of nuclear technologies. <\/p>\n
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the agreement at a news conference in Buffalo Friday. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom building the first small modular reactors in the G7 to building the first large-scale nuclear facilities in decades, Ontario is proud to lead the world in nuclear innovation,\u201d Ford said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy working together with New York, we\u2019re creating good-paying jobs, growing our economies and delivering clean, affordable power for families and businesses on both sides of the border for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Th agreement would see Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) work together on the deployment of large-scale reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet growing energy demands. <\/p>\n
According to a news release, the deal will see Ontario assist New York State in selecting nuclear sites and technologies, project development, management and operations and supply chain development for new nuclear builds.<\/p>\n
Ontario has been doubling down on its nuclear power strategy, refurbishing older nuclear power stations and working on the construction of its first grid-scale small modular reactor \u2013 a first in the G7. <\/p>\n
Hochul said in a statement that the deal \u201crepresents a bold step forward\u201d in the New York-Ontario relationship and toward a clean energy future. <\/p>\n
\u201cBy partnering with Ontario Power Generation and its extensive nuclear experience, New York is positioning itself at the forefront of advanced nuclear technology deployment, ensuring we have safe, reliable, affordable and carbon[1]free energy that will help power the jobs of tomorrow,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Hochul also said the deal is important amid the ongoing trade war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump against Canada and other countries. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs these threats out of Washington come, we\u2019re going to stand firm and let people know who we who our friends are,\u201d Hochul said. <\/p>\n
Ontario exported nearly 10 per cent of its energy output to U.S. states between 2021 and 2023, according to the province. <\/p>\n
OPG is in the process of building four SMRs at the Darlington nuclear site, which will add 300 MW of electricity to the grid \u2013 enough to power around 300,000 homes, the government says. <\/p>\n