The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is renewing Ontario Power Generation’s licence for a project eventually building a small modular reactor (SMR) at its Darlington site.
The 10-year licence allows OPG to do work to prepare the site for construction of a future SMR nuclear plant, called the Darlington New Nuclear Project.
“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,’ OPG CEO Ken Hartwick said in a statement. “We are pleased to receive CNSC approval to take the next steps in this direction.”
Last year, OPG announced it was resuming its planning activities for the SMR project and hopes to deliver the SMR plant by 2028.
The provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Alberta have signed a MOU to collaborate on the advancement of SMRs as a clean energy option to address climate change and regional energy demands. Further federal approvals will be needed for construction and commissioning of the project.
Photo: Large reactors at the Darlington nuclear power station in Canada (Photo credit: OPG)
