Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced that it is launching the Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability in Pickering.

“OPG and the nuclear industry in Ontario are already recognized for their excellence in the safe and reliable operation of Candu nuclear stations,” said Carla Carmichael, vice president of nuclear decommissioning strategies for OPG. “The Centre will integrate collaboration and research to identify innovative solutions in the nuclear sector while also supporting the work underway to prepare for decommissioning the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.”

“We celebrate the launch of the new Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability, a hub for innovative nuclear solutions that will support Pickering Nuclear Generating Station’s decommissioning process and create immediate opportunities for economic development in the region,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.

Pickering's six Candu units are scheduled to close by 2024 as OPG continues its refurbishment of four units at the Darlington site which will enable those units to operate for a further 30 years. The first of the Darlington units to undergo refurbishment, unit 2, was reconnected to Ontario's grid earlier this year. While Pickering remains in active service, OPG says upfront preparatory work for the end of commercial operations will ensure the station is ready for eventual shutdown.

With participation from the wider industry, the new Centre will operate as a hub to:

  • leverage and coordinate Ontario’s vast talents and competencies to make Canada a world leader in nuclear decommissioning;
  • advance solutions for nuclear materials, with a continuing emphasis on minimizing its environmental footprint;
  • create economic growth in Ontario and a significant number of highly skilled jobs over the next several years;
  • mobilise Ontario’s strong nuclear supply chain to develop tooling required for nuclear decommissioning;
  • collaborate by forming partnerships with the industry, community, local businesses, academia, Indigenous communities and global entities to discover research, development and export opportunities for innovative nuclear energy solutions.