Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Czech power company ČEZ will collaborate to advance deployment of nuclear technology, including small modular reactors (SMRs), to produce electricity in their jurisdictions, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 11 October.
Under the MoU, OPG and ČEZ will share information related to the deployment of new nuclear projects. The aim is to reduce financial, technical and schedule risk to both parties on their respective future projects. New nuclear generation, including SMRs, is an essential part of the electricity mix needed to decarbonise the energy sector and broader economy. Safe, carbon-free, reliable nuclear power is especially necessary as electricity demand increases due to electrification of higher-emitting sectors such as transportation, the companies said.
OPG is deploying an SMR at its Darlington site, the only location in Canada licensed for new nuclear construction with an approved Environmental Assessment. The company recently announced a contract with ES Fox to proceed with early site work, pending permits and regulatory approvals. The Darlington SMR is expected to be operational by the end of this decade.
"Ontario Power Generation is a world-class nuclear operator, with decades of experience in providing safe, clean, reliable nuclear power," said OPG President and CEO Ken Hartwick. "Working together with entities like ČEZ, we can leverage our combined experience to develop and build the new technology needed to power the future and meet decarbonization goals."
In Europe, ČEZ has taken first steps toward expanding its nuclear fleets at Temelin and Dukovany. "As a company, we are focused on developing new energy solutions and technologies," said Tomáš Pleskac, Member of the ČEZ Board of Directors and Chief of the New Energy Division. "We are preparing for the construct ion of a new nuclear unit in Dukovany and the upcoming allocation of space at Temelín, where the first SMR could be built in the first half of the next decade. The collaboration with OPG is therefore, for us, a logical step forward."
"Ontario is proud to lead the way on clean nuclear technologies," said Ontario's Energy Minister Todd Smith. "With our robust nuclear supply chain and talented workforce, we are ready to support the global deployment of our nuclear expertise that will help reduce emissions while delivering energy security to the world."
Image: Petr Třešňák, Deputy Minister to Minister of Industry and Trade; Tomáš Pleskač, CEZ, Member of the Board of Directors, Chief New Energy Office; Ken Hartwick, OPG President and CEO; Todd Smith, Ontario Minister of Energy; and Ayesha Patricia Rekhi, Canadian Ambassador to Czech Republic (courtesy of CNW Group/OPG)
