Ottawa/CMEDIA: An announcement was made today by Minister Lecce at the International Tritium Conference of about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group for Ontario to work toward supplying tritium to support the UKAEA’s world-leading fusion research and energy development projects.
Ontario’s nuclear reactors produce isotopes that are used globally in health care, energy, and advanced industrial applications.
Delivering on the government’s plan, the agreement would protect Ontario to create more export opportunities that support good-paying jobs and build a more competitive, and self-reliant economy in the face of U.S. tariffs.
“Ontario’s world-class researchers are driving our economy and cementing the province as an epicentre of clean energy and nuclear innovation. This monumental agreement…advance the production and commercialization of crucial clean energy and expand Ontario’s role in the global energy market,” Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security said.
Solidifying Ontario’s position as an international leader in the nuclear energy sector, OPG will provide, under the agreement a secure and reliable supply of tritium to fuel the UKAEA’s cutting-edge fusion research and facilities.
OPG has previously supplied tritium for the Joint European Torus fusion experiment at UKAEA.
In addition, local fusion energy development projects in Ontario and Canada would be supported by the MOU and enable creating valuable opportunities for local industries and supply chain partners to participate and benefit from new fusion energy projects.
“This historic agreement cements Ontario’s long-standing role at the forefront of next generation nuclear energy,” said Minister Lecce. “From building the G7’s first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to powering breakthroughs in fusion and medical isotopes, Ontario is leading the world’s clean energy future. We’re exporting our expertise, creating jobs at home and showing the world what energy security looks like.”
Sourced from Ontario’s CANDU reactors, tritium is extracted from heavy water during routine CANDU operations. As tritium decays, it produces Helium-3 (He-3), an extremely rare and valuable isotope that’s powering breakthroughs in quantum computing and holds promise as a future fuel for fusion reactors.
As UKAEA leads the world’s largest publicly funded research and development program, dedicated to making fusion energy a scalable, commercial reality, Tritium supplied by OPG could play a major role in advancing major UKAEA research projects.
This initiative is a key pillar of Energy for Generations, Ontario’s long-term roadmap to deliver reliable, affordable and secure energy to power the most competitive 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.
“Ontario’s energy sector has long been at the forefront of innovation…Fusion energy represents a transformative opportunity, and Ontario’s leadership in nuclear expertise…The Ontario Energy Association recognizes this agreement as a signal of Ontario’s leadership in advancing next-generation energy solutions,” Vince Brescia, President & CEO, Ontario Energy Association said.
