​Nuclear power in Clean Energy Frontier will enable growth of Canada’s data-driven future

From the smartphones in our pockets to the servers powering Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), data is the backbone of the modern economy.

New research from the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) shows that as Canada moves quickly to build its A.I. advantage, the infrastructure needed to power that data must be supported by clean, reliable nuclear energy.

Friday, Evan Solomon, federal minister of A.I. and digital innovation, spoke at the Empire Club of Canada on “The Urgent Mission to Make Canada A.I. and Quantum Strong.” Ahead of his remarks, NII chairman James Scongack presented a clear message to attendees: Canada’s A.I. future must be powered by nuclear energy.

“If Canada wants to attract and sustain investment in data centres, nuclear must be part of the conversation,” said Scongack, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Bruce Power. “It’s how we can guarantee clean, reliable power while keeping data — and the economic value it represents — on Canadian soil.”

But NII’s research shows that data centres require the right kind of power: clean, reliable, affordable and made-in-Canada — because in an age of geopolitical uncertainty, data sovereignty and energy independence go hand-in-hand. Ontario’s nuclear stations already supply more than half of the province’s carbon-free power, giving Canada a global edge: the ability to build and operate data centres on a grid that is both reliable and clean.

Simply put, the volume of energy needed to power data centres, is too high to rely on carbon-emitting sources of power. And while renewables play an important role in the energy mix, they cannot provide the consistent, around-the-clock reliability that large-scale digital infrastructure demands — making clean, dependable sources, such as nuclear, essential.

“Here at home, the Clean Energy Frontier region of Bruce, Grey and Huron counties offers the right mix of assets to support Canada’s A.I. advantage: baseload nuclear power, high-capacity transmission lines, access to skilled labour from existing clean energy projects, and innovation-ready communities,” said Jessica Linthorne, NII president and chief executive officer.

The Clean Energy Frontier region is ready because:
 

• It delivers reliability. Nuclear power provides 24/7 electricity, ensuring data centres can operate continuously without interruption.
• It has the infrastructure. Existing high-capacity transmission lines make it easier to integrate new data centres into Ontario’s grid.
• It protects data. Locating centres near Bruce Power supports Canada’s data sovereignty by keeping sensitive information on Canadian soil.
• It lowers costs. Co-locating data centres with nuclear plants, creates efficiencies, reduces transmission losses and leverages existing security and safety systems.

Together, these advantages position the Clean Energy Frontier region — anchored by Bruce Power — as a secure, cost-effective and future-focused hub for Canada’s digital economy.

Read more at nii.ca.