OPG gets CNSC go-ahead to prep Darlington site for a potential SMR
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has renewed Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG’s) site preparation licence for the Darlington New Nuclear Project.
The announcement paves the way for OPG to begin preparing the site for a series of construction projects that could support the installation of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR). Planned works at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station include: excavation and grading, installation of services and utilities for future buildings, and the construction of service buildings.
Last November, OPG announced that it would resume planning activities for additional nuclear power generation – via an SMR – at its Darlington site. Darlington is the only site in Canada currently licensed for new nuclear.
OPG says that an SMR at Darlington will provide a new source of carbon-free, nuclear energy for Ontario’s future projected energy demand, which is widely expected to ramp up as transportation and other sectors electrify to use Ontario’s clean power to help decarbonize the broader economy.
“Nuclear energy will play a key role in meeting net-zero goals, and SMRs are the flexible, scalable answer to some of today’s most complex energy questions,” said OPG president and CEO Ken Hartwick. “OPG has the experience and expertise to lead the way on this next generation of clean energy, and we look forward to having an SMR in place in time to help meet future energy demands. We are pleased to receive CNSC approval to take the next steps in this direction.”
A Conference Board of Canada study suggests that a 300-megawatt grid-scale SMR built in Ontario and operated for 60 years would add $2.5 billion to Ontario’s gross domestic product, and create a series of annual direct and related employment gains, including close to 700 jobs during project development, more than 1,600 jobs during manufacturing and construction, 200 jobs during operations, and about 160 jobs during decommissioning.
To construct and operate a new reactor, further approvals, including additional CNSC licences, are required. These licences must be obtained through an extensive regulatory process, which would include the opportunity for input from the general public and Indigenous communities, as well as a public hearing.
Featured image: An aerial view of Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. (Ontario Power Generation)