​Bruce Power, Energy Alberta enter into collaboration agreement on nuclear energy in Alberta

Bruce Power has entered into a collaboration agreement with Energy Alberta, a private-sector developer advancing the first major nuclear energy project in Alberta.

The collaboration reflects a shared interest in understanding how an expanded, Canadian nuclear energy sector could play an important role as Canada faces a surge in electricity demand and the issues of long-term reliability, emissions reduction and economic competitiveness. The agreement is focused on Bruce Power sharing its experience, high-level frameworks and lessons learned.

It also builds on the Canada-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding around energy, and a commitment within it to collaborate on developing a nuclear generation strategy to build and operate a competitive nuclear power site that can serve the Alberta and inter-connected markets by 2050.

“Nuclear energy’s potential to enhance energy security for all Canadians makes it an attractive solution to meet growing electricity demand,” said Nathan Neudorf, minister of affordability and utilities for Alberta’s government. “With one of the most reliable grids in the country, Alberta is proud to play a key role in building a national energy corridor, leveraging inter-provincial expertise and strengthening connections with our neighbours to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable power for Albertans and Canadians alike.”

Bruce Power brings decades of nuclear operating and project-planning experience to the collaboration. The company operates one of the world’s largest nuclear generating sites and has been a cornerstone of Canada’s nuclear industry since the Bruce site hosted the country’s first commercial reactor, Douglas Point. Today, Bruce Power’s eight Candu reactors are undergoing life-extensions to operate for decades to come, while the company continues to advance long-term planning for potential new nuclear generation.

Fifteen years ago, Bruce Power undertook extensive feasibility studies to evaluate options for new nuclear development in Alberta, work that helped shape its current approach to long-range planning, regulatory readiness, and community and Indigenous engagement. That experience, alongside more recent planning for its Bruce "C" project, provides valuable perspective for Energy Alberta as it advances licensing for a four-unit, 4,800-megawatt facility north of Peace River, Alberta.

“Bruce Power understands what it means to explore nuclear energy carefully, deliberately, and over the long term,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president. “This collaboration allows us to share practical insights from our own feasibility work and planning experience with Energy Alberta.”

Energy Alberta’s proposed Peace River Nuclear Power Project is in the planning phase of the regulatory process, and the company expects the first phase of the project to be in operation by 2035. Energy Alberta is interested in Bruce Power’s perspective on governance models, regulatory considerations and how nuclear generation would complement Alberta’s existing and future energy mix. The collaboration does not include a commitment to development, timelines or specific technologies.

“At a time when energy security and economic resilience are more closely linked than ever, co-operation within Canada’s nuclear energy sector is critical,” said Scott Henuset, president and chief executive officer of Energy Alberta. “Bruce Power’s past experience in the same area as our proposed project, as well as its current work, provides a credible reference point and valuable insights as we advance planning for the future of nuclear energy in Western Canada.”

The agreement enables structured information-sharing on topics, such as early-stage project frameworks, regulatory pathways, Indigenous and stakeholder engagement approaches, and lessons learned from operating and planning nuclear facilities in Canada. Given Energy Alberta’s private-sector structure and early mandate, engagement under the agreement will remain appropriately scoped and exploratory. Bruce Power is uniquely positioned to share its expertise in operating a nuclear facility through a private-public partnership.

While much of Canada’s nuclear industry and supply chain is based in Ontario, the collaboration reflects growing inter-provincial interest in how nuclear energy expertise can be applied across different market structures and policy environments, including Alberta’s competitive electricity market.

By sharing experience at the development stage, the collaboration supports informed decision-making and strengthens dialogue across provinces as Canada considers the long-term role of nuclear energy in a changing energy landscape.