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OPG outlines benefits from Pickering nuclear plant extension

The extension of operation of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station will be beneficial in several respects, according to Ken Hartwick, Ontario Power generation (OPG) President & CEO.

OPG is seeking Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) approval to continue operating Pickering’s Units 5 through 8 to the end of September 2026. Units 1 and 4 will retire at the end of 2024 as planned. The Darlington station is progressing through refurbishment.

Hartwick said continued operations of Units 5–8 at Pickering will have many benefits to customers, the economy, and the environment including:

  1. Reducing CO2 emissions by 2.1 megatonnes in 2026 – the equivalent of taking up to 643,000 cars off the road;
  2. Protecting 4,500 jobs;
  3. Ensuring a stable supply of Cobalt 60, a critical medical isotope used in lifesaving medicine (Pickering provides 20 per cent of the North American supply, and 10 per cent of the world’s supply); and
  4. It’s also a cost-effective option to help meet electricity system needs given the current inflationary and supply chain challenges affecting the world.

Longer Term Refurbishment

Ken Hartwick

Hartwick said Ontario has asked OPG to conduct a feasibility assessment on the potential for refurbishing Units 5–8. “Over the next year, we will conduct a comprehensive technical examination and hope to submit a final recommendation to the province by the end of 2023”.

He pointed out that growing a strong economy while protecting the environment requires a stable supply of more clean power and a reliable grid that can support electrification of other sectors like transportation and heavy industry. As an abundant source of carbon-free electricity that’s available at all times of the day and year, the role of nuclear is more vital than ever.

Nuclear power is already the backbone of Ontario’s electricity system, providing approximately 60 per cent of its power, and Durham is home to two of the province’s most important clean energy assets. The Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment that will secure another 30 years of operation. And through ongoing investments and the hard work of employees, Pickering Nuclear is seeing its strongest performance ever, including achieving its highest yearly production output and its best equipment reliability ratings.

In 2009, OPG reviewed the environmental and safety case for refurbishing Units 5–8, and although there was community support for the refurbishment, a decision was made to not pursue the project due to the challenging economics, stagnant electricity demand, and anticipated supply chain issues and costs.

“We have learned a lot about refurbishment since 2009 and through our Darlington project, which remains on time and on budget, and will apply these learnings to our feasibility assessment of Pickering,” said Hartwick.

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