New centre will leverage Ontario’s nuclear advantage to advance clean energy research and keep Ontario competitive in the global economy
The Ontario government is strengthening the province’s energy sector by investing $19.5 million to help establish the new Centre for Fusion Energy. The Centre will further cement Ontario as a global leader in energy research and commercialization, attracting more investment and good-paying jobs while protecting the province in the face of economic uncertainty.
“Ontario’s world-renowned researchers are driving the energy sector into a new era of clean energy,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Through this investment, our government is leveraging our province’s position as a nuclear powerhouse to fuel fusion energy discoveries that will advance our industries, build our energy workforce and protect Ontario.”
With the creation of the Centre for Fusion Energy, Ontario will accelerate innovation in the growing fusion energy sector, ensuring Ontario stays at the forefront of research. The Centre will also facilitate new academic and industry partnerships, create new hands-on educational opportunities and stimulate economic and research activity across the province.
Ontario is an advanced nuclear operator that embraces the first mover advantage, starting with leveraging Canadian CANDU technology over 50 years ago to building the G7’s first Small Modular Reactor today,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “As fusion energy represents the next frontier in clean 24/7 power, Ontario is again leading the way with Ontario Power Generation delivering the Centre for Fusion Energy. Ontario is doubling down on our nuclear advantage by investing in the development of fusion nuclear power — an almost inexhaustible source of emission-free energy for future generations.”
The Centre is being developed in partnership with the federal government, the Stellarex Group Limited, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), and Ontario Power Generation (OPG). The federal government, through AECL, is investing $33 million and Stellarex intends to contribute up to $39 million to the Centre. Ontario entered into a memorandum of understanding with the OPG, who will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the project on behalf of the province.
“Through a new Centre for Fusion Energy, Canada and Ontario are taking another step forward to strengthen our nuclear energy sector,” said Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “Our new government is proud to work with the province to support Canadian investments that will broaden our clean energy research and grow our fusion energy sector.”
This investment supports Energy for Generations, the government’s integrated energy plan to ensure Ontario has clean, reliable and affordable energy that will power new homes and drive the strongest economy in the G7. With a clear path forward, the plan is not only meeting the demands of today, but it is protecting jobs, supporting workers and powering economic growth for generations to come.
Quick Facts
- This initiative builds on an MOU that was signed between OPG, Stellarex, AECL and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), to explore establishing a Centre for Fusion Energy in Ontario and continue nurturing a globally competitive domestic fusion ecosystem.
- Ontario is home to over 75,000 workers in the nuclear supply chain, providing a strong workforce for fusion energy development.
- If a fusion energy plant is constructed in Ontario, it will result in up to 63,000 new jobs by 2050.
- Ontario has almost all of the world’s commercial tritium—a by-product of OPG’s CANDU reactors—which serves as the key fusion fuel for nearly all fusion reactor designs.
- If nuclear fusion energy is commercialized, it is estimated that economic benefits to Canada could be worth up to $523 billion by the year 2100.
- In September 2025, the Ontario government signed an MOU with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group for OPG to work toward supplying tritium to the UKAEA – a critical fuel for nuclear fusion.
- In September 2025, the Ontario government invested $18 million to expand capacity at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor — Canada’s largest nuclear research facility and one of the world’s top suppliers of life-saving medical isotopes.
- Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested over $2 billion into the research sector, including support for over 1,600 research projects that drive ground-breaking discoveries and create jobs across key sectors, such as life sciences, agriculture, auto manufacturing, and information technology.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
