{"id":140599,"date":"2023-07-10T08:42:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T12:42:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/rwddev\/?p=140599"},"modified":"2023-07-10T11:07:14","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10T15:07:14","slug":"ontario-to-build-more-small-modular-reactors-to-power-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/ontario-to-build-more-small-modular-reactors-to-power-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"Ontario to build more small modular reactors to power growth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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The Ontario government is working with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to commence planning and licensing for three additional small modular reactors (SMRs), for a total of four SMRs at the Darlington nuclear site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once deployed, these four units would produce a total 1,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity, equivalent to powering 1.2 million homes, helping to meet increasing demand from electrification and fuel the province\u2019s strong economic growth, announced the provincial government on Friday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur government\u2019s open for business approach has led to unprecedented investments across the province — from electric vehicles and battery manufacturing to critical minerals to green steel,\u201d said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy in a media release. \u201cExpanding Ontario\u2019s world-leading SMR program will ensure we have the reliable, affordable and clean electricity we need to power the next major international investment, the new homes we are building and industries as they grow and electrify.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since 2005, Ontario\u2019s electricity demand is rising. While the government has implemented its plan to meet rising electricity demand this decade, the experts at Ontario\u2019s Independent Electricity System Operator have recommended the province advance new nuclear generation to provide reliable, baseload power to meet increasing electricity needs in the 2030s and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subject to Ontario Government and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulatory approvals on construction, the additional SMRs could come online between 2034 and 2036. This timing would allow Ontario Power Generation to apply learnings from the construction of the first unit to deliver cost savings on subsequent units. Building multiple units will also allow common infrastructure such as cooling water intake, transmission connection and control room to be utilized by all four units instead of just one, reducing costs even further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA fleet of SMRs at the Darlington New Nuclear Site is key to meeting growing electricity demands and net zero goals,\u201d said Ken Hartwick, OPG President and CEO. \u201cOPG has proven its large nuclear project expertise through the on-time, on-budget Darlington Refurbishment project. By taking a similar approach to building a fleet of SMRs, we will deliver cost and schedule savings, and power 1.2 million homes from this site by the mid-2030s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Darlington SMR project is situated on the traditional and treaty territories of the seven Williams Treaties First Nations and is also located within the traditional territory of the Huron Wendat peoples. OPG is actively engaging and consulting with potentially impacted Indigenous communities, including exploring economic opportunities in the Darlington SMR project such as commercial participation and employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ontario\u2019s robust nuclear supply chain is uniquely positioned to support SMR development and deployment in Ontario, Canada and globally. Building additional SMRs at Darlington would provide more opportunities for Ontario companies as suppliers of nuclear equipment, components, and services to make further investments to expand their operation to serve the growing SMR market both domestically and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting new SMR development and investing in nuclear power is part of the government\u2019s larger plan to prepare for electricity demand in the 2030s and 2040s that will build on Ontario\u2019s clean electricity advantage and ensure the province has the power to maintain it\u2019s position as leader in job creation and a magnet for the industries of the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quick Facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n