OTTAWA — September 22, 2025 — Ontario has struck a landmark clean energy agreement with the United Kingdom that positions the province at the forefront of global fusion innovation while strengthening its nuclear export economy.
At the International Tritium Conference in Ottawa on Monday, Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce announced that Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group. The agreement paves the way for Ontario to supply tritium — a vital fuel for nuclear fusion — to support the UK’s cutting-edge research and energy development projects.
The deal reflects Ontario’s strategy to leverage its nuclear advantage, both to safeguard the province against global trade challenges such as U.S. tariffs and to stimulate domestic job creation in high-value sectors.
Ontario’s Nuclear Edge
Ontario is home to the world’s only commercial-scale production of tritium, extracted from heavy water during regular operations at its CANDU reactors. Tritium is considered critical to fusion energy research because, when combined with deuterium, it can produce enormous amounts of clean energy. As tritium decays, it also produces helium-3, a rare isotope fuelling breakthroughs in quantum computing and with potential as a future fusion fuel.
“This historic agreement cements Ontario’s long-standing role at the forefront of next generation nuclear energy,” Lecce said. “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.”
Fusion Partnerships with Global Reach
The UKAEA oversees the world’s largest publicly funded fusion research and development program. Ontario’s tritium could directly support the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production programme, a prototype facility intended to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion technology by the early 2040s.
“Ontario Power Generation is proud to build on our world-class leadership in producing life-saving medical isotopes and our 50-plus year history of operating safe, clean and reliable nuclear power generation,” said Kim Lauritsen, OPG Senior Vice President, Enterprise Strategy and Growth. “This agreement demonstrates how OPG is leveraging Ontario’s isotope and nuclear expertise to support and power the promise of nuclear fusion.”
Steve Wheeler, Executive Director of Fusion Technology at the UKAEA, said the collaboration represents a significant step forward. “OPG has played a critical part in enabling the fundamental fusion research that has become a foundation for the international fusion community. This MOU strengthens UKAEA’s strategic relationship with the Government of Ontario and OPG to drive progress toward delivering future fusion powerplants.”
Economic and Strategic Significance
Officials emphasized that the agreement will create opportunities for Ontario businesses and supply chains as global investment in fusion accelerates. The partnership also bolsters Ontario’s Energy for Generations roadmap, which aims to deliver reliable, affordable and secure power while supporting jobs and long-term growth.
“Ontario’s world-class researchers are driving our economy and cementing the province as an epicentre of clean energy and nuclear innovation,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This monumental agreement will accelerate cutting-edge energy developments, advance the production and commercialization of crucial clean energy and expand Ontario’s role in the global energy market.”
Industry groups echoed the economic potential. Ivette Vera-Perez, President and CEO of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI), called the agreement “an exciting boost for Ontario and Canada’s nuclear supply chain,” highlighting opportunities for suppliers in areas such as tritium handling and robotics.
George Christidis, President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association, said the deal ensures Canadian industry is “well positioned to play a leading role in developing the next generation of technologies.”
Broader Impacts on Clean Energy
Fusion energy is often described as the “holy grail” of clean power because of its potential to produce near-limitless, carbon-free electricity. While commercial deployment remains decades away, Ontario’s ability to provide tritium gives it a crucial role in advancing global fusion science.
“This Ontario-U.K. collaboration can advance fusion research, strengthen our domestic ecosystem, and help shape the next generation of clean energy technology,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Jessica Linthorne, President and CEO of the Nuclear Innovation Institute, said the MOU underscores Ontario’s position as a hub for energy innovation: “Advancing fusion research and building these foundations for a fusion energy ecosystem can create new opportunities for Canadian industry and supply chain partners to help shape the future of energy.”
The Ontario Energy Association also framed the agreement as a signal of leadership in next-generation energy solutions. “Fusion energy represents a transformative opportunity, and Ontario’s leadership in nuclear expertise and supply chain capacity positions us to play a critical role,” said Vince Brescia, the association’s President and CEO.
Looking Ahead
Ontario has previously supplied tritium for the Joint European Torus fusion experiment in the U.K., but officials say this new agreement expands the scope and ambition of international cooperation.
By exporting its expertise and resources while stimulating innovation at home, the province is positioning itself not only as a global supplier of nuclear materials but also as a hub for transformative clean energy technology.
As Minister Lecce put it, “Ontario is leading the world’s clean energy future.”
