The Canadian Nuclear Association has given a nod of approval to the Canadian Energy Strategy, which was released by the country's provincial leaders Friday.
“The Canadian Nuclear Association congratulates Canada's premiers for their release of the Canadian Energy Strategy,” the industry group said in a press release.
The group noted that Canada, the world's second largest producer of uranium after Kazakhstan, has four nuclear generating sites represent 16 per cent of Canada’s electricity generation “and all of that is greenhouse gas free.”
“Between 2000 and 2013, nuclear-powered electrical generation rose 20 percent, coinciding with a 27 percent drop in coal-fired electricity. During the same period, non-hydro renewables increased to 3.4 percent from one percent,” the CNA said.
As of 2014, nuclear accounted for 62 per cent of electricity generation in Ontario according to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). Nuclear also is the backbone of New Brunswick’s electricity supply, the group said.
“Nuclear energy, along with renewables, can and will play an important role in reaching this goal in the electricity sector, as its generation is emission-free,” said CNA President John Barrett.
“Increased use of nuclear power in Ontario helped the province get off coal,” Barrett added.
The Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) is a non-profit organization established in 1960 to represent the nuclear industry in Canada and promote the development and growth of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes.