The Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP) has completed another major milestone, on time and on budget, according to Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
The early works phase of the project’s site preparation work, led by project partner ES Fox, wrapped up in February with completion of civil works including site grading, construction of temporary roads and construction laydown areas, installation of stormwater features, and establishment of on-site utilities, including power, domestic and fire water, and IT infrastructure, OPG said.
It said the site has now transitioned into the care of the DNNP’s constructor partner, Aecon, to allow for the main site preparation work to begin. In accordance with the site preparation licence, some of the major work programs to be completed over the course of 2024 include:
- Construction work for site establishment activities, including the shoring wall required for reactor building excavation.
- Excavation for Unit 1 power block.
- Clearing and grubbing and early works for Units 2, 3, and 4.
In January 2024, OPG completed a regulatory hearing on the applicability of the project’s accepted environmental assessment with the selected BWRX-300 reactor technology. A decision from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is expected by the end of April.
Following the completion of the 2024 site establishment work, the project will be ready for nuclear construction work to begin in early 2025, pending CNSC regulatory approval. A second regulatory hearing to review OPG’s application for the Unit 1 SMR Licence to Construct is anticipated in October 2024.
Early works for the first SMR in the G7 have been completed on time & on budget at @opg's Darlington Nuclear site.
Big thanks to all the workers who helped deliver the first phase of this project, which will provide reliable, affordable & clean electricity for our province. pic.twitter.com/8hJ6G5quTo
— Todd Smith (@ToddSmithPC) March 13, 2024
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