Darlington New Nuclear Project relicensing set for public hearing

OPG’s application for the renewal of a key licence to develop a new nuclear project at its Darlington site in Clarington is set to be considered in a public hearing later this year.

Last June, the company applied to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for renewal of the site preparation licence to support the Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP). OPG currently holds a site preparation licence granted by the CNSC.

OPG’s application will be considered by the CNSC at a public hearing on June 9 and 10, 2021. To learn more about the hearing process and how to participate, click here.

On Nov. 13, 2020, OPG announced the resumption of planning activities for a new nuclear build at Darlington with the goal of hosting a grid-size Small Modular Reactor (SMRs) by as early as 2028, pending regulatory approvals.

“A new SMR development on our Darlington site would benefit all Ontarians while further positioning Durham Region and Ontario as the clean energy capital of the world,” said Ken Hartwick, OPG’s President and CEO.

The Darlington station is already an important part of Ontario’s clean energy future, providing close to 20 per cent of Ontario’s electricity, and the Darlington Refurbishment Project will ensure the facility continues to provide clean power for decades to come.

Advancements in reliable, low-carbon nuclear power in the form of SMRs could further help fight climate change by supporting the electrification of Ontario’s economy. OPG anticipates deploying Ontario’s first on-grid SMR at Darlington could displace approximately one million tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

The company’s new Climate Change Plan highlights SMRs and other clean energy solutions as critical to helping the company and the markets where it operates achieve net-zero carbon status in the future.

To construct and operate a new nuclear reactor at Darlington, further approvals, including additional CNSC licences, will be required. These licences must be obtained through an extensive regulatory process, which would include the opportunity for public input and a public hearing.

The site preparation licence is one step in the approvals process, which also includes a construction licence and an operating licence.

The Darlington site is currently Canada’s only site that holds a site preparation licence for future new nuclear development, with a completed and accepted Environmental Assessment (EA), which was granted following extensive public engagement and a 17-day public hearing held in Clarington.

To learn more about the DNNP and licence renewal application, visit www.opg.com/newnuclear.