Bruce Power is advancing its commitment to Net Zero 2027 by participating in a series of local environmental initiatives.
A release notes as part of the company’s strategy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its site by 2027, Bruce Power is aiming to meet its targets by identifying and engaging in energy and emission-reduction projects in its operations.
Bruce Power is also looking to identify alternatives for high-emission energy sources, and pursue emission offsets where needed.
Some projects to help achieve these goals include, implementing efficiencies for on-site buildings, and taking part in a fleet optimization study, so to look at implementing more efficient practices and taking a look at making some of their vehicles electric based.
Bruce Power’s Director of Environment and Sustainability Danielle LaCroix says, the company produces large volumes of emissions-free electricity that is critical to Ontario staying off coal.
“Thanks to nuclear, Ontario has one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world, and we are building on this leadership role to help Canada meet its emissions targets by 2050,” says LaCroix.
To assist with the goal of attaining net zero, Bruce Power bought high quality offsets from two projects in Leamington, which focus on sustainable agriculture, making use of biomass boilers.
Through Bruce Power’s net zero partnership with the Nuclear Innovation Institute, the company will be funding the development of carbon-offset projects in local communities, through the Carbon Offset Coalition.
The projects run through the coalition include a partnership with ALUS Grey Bruce, to work with farmers and landowners in the region to undergo carbon sequestration, water quality improvement and habitat protection projects on marginal lands.
Bruce Power will also partner up with Dr. Franco Berruti at the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources from the University of Western Ontario, to turn waste into a substance called biochar, to use as soil amendment.
Through the partnership with the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, the company funded the planting of over 36,000 trees in 2021, and they are currently working on a five-year implementation plan to continue to support tree planning in the conservation authority’s area, between 2022 and 2026.
Director of the Net Zero Partnerships at the Nuclear Innovation institute Chad Richards says, we all have a role to play in a net zero future.
“The projects that have been identified through the Carbon Offset Coalition process clearly demonstrate a willingness and ability to lead on local decarbonization projects, and this is just the start. We’re continuing this important work and encourage anyone with ideas for potential projects to submit them to the Carbon Offset Coalition,” says Richards.
Minister of Energy Todd Smith adds, nuclear energy is the backbone of the province’s clear, reliable electricity system and the three nuclear stations in Ontario, including Bruce Power, provide 60 per cent of the electricity used each year.
“With these initiatives Bruce Power continues to demonstrate its leadership in developing innovative solutions to support Ontario’s emission-reduction efforts,” says Smith.
In addition, Bruce Power will be holding a Clean Energy Innovation and Recovery Summit on Nov. 29, featuring updates on opportunities from the Bruce Power Centre for Next Generation Nuclear Technology at the innovation institute.
Some of which are geared on using the foundation established at the Bruce power site, in the goal of achieving Net Zero 2050.
More details can be found on the Bruce Power website.