The risk is mainly related to pricing, since these are projects that cost between 12¢ and 13¢ per kilowatt-hour produced. However, buyers are not willing to pay that price. There is a risk in developing projects and raising prices for everyone without social acceptance.
Today, unfortunately, on Hydro-Québec's side—and it's the same in Ontario with nuclear power—they're promoting major projects but aren't clearly communicating how the bill will be distributed. Ontario subsidizes nuclear projects with federal assistance, among other sources. In Quebec, all consumers pay a higher average cost to finance these projects, but there is no clear price signal regarding the actual cost of this electricity and the actual bill. Having electricity is beneficial, but unfortunately, in terms of social acceptability, the costs of these projects need to be better communicated.
