Bruce Power and the County of Bruce have partnered to establish Ontario’s Nuclear Innovation Institute as an international centre for applied research and training. From left, Paul Eagleson, Warden, County of Bruce; Kelley Coulter, Chief Administrative Officer, County of Bruce; Lisa Thompson, incumbent MPP, Huron-Bruce; Mike Rencheck, President and CEO, Bruce Power; and Mike Smith, Mayor, Town of Saugeen Shores.
Hub Staff
Bruce Power and Bruce County are partnering up for Ontario’s Nuclear Innovation Institute (OCNII) which will located adjacent to Southampton’s Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre (BCM&CC).
In a joint announcement May 16 at BCM&CC, Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck said there have been 30 nuclear companies that have opened offices regionally over the past two years and that the Institute will establish a hub for nuclear innovation applied research and act as a skilled trades training centre in technical fields and craft trades.
“To see what’s happening, ONII will bring together technology leaders to share collective expertise and knowledge while identifying opportunities to advance nuclear application technologies and people skills through training,” said Rencheck May 16. The Bruce Power President and CEO added that the newly located suppliers will also work together and foster collaborations that could be used at Bruce Power and around the world.
The key focus of ONII will include: Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, Medical and Industrial Isotopes, Environmental Excellence in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, Indigenous Economic Developments, and Nuclear Sector Operational Excellence.
The project will involve an oversight committee which will be chaired by Frank Saunders, Vice-President of Nuclear Oversight and Regulatory Affairs for Bruce Power, a former Director of Nuclear Operations for McMaster University.
A feasibility study is currently underway for the project, which will include community engagement on the location of choice, ongoing public sector engagement through the Nuclear Industry Regional Advisory Committee, a website that will track progress.
Bruce County Warden Paul Eagleson said that the project is moving really quickly and that the Innovation Institute could open as early as 2020.
Bruce County Chief Administrative Officer Kelly Coulter reminded those in attendance that Bruce Power and Bruce County signed a memorandum of understanding in 2016 to advance nuclear economic development and understanding and invited Bruce County Warden Paul Eagleson and Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck to sign an extension that would bring the partnership into 2021.
Bruce County Warden Paul Eagleson and Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck sign a Memorandum of Understanding extending the nuclear economic development partnership to 2021, May 16 at Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.
Ontario’s Nuclear Innovation Institute a partnership between Bruce County and Bruce Power was announced at its preferred location the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, May 16.
Bruce County Warden Paul Ealgeson speaking at the announcement, May 16.
Nuclear supply companies continue to come to the region with ten companies having set up shop in the county since January.
