The federal government’s Canada Infrastructure Bank is investing nearly $1 billion to build the country’s first small modular reactor (SMR), located on the site of an existing nuclear power plant in Ontario.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is developing the 300 megawatt project adjacent to the 3,500 megawatt Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. Small modular reactors are much smaller nuclear facilities than traditional power plants and this SMR would power approximately 300,000 homes.
During Tuesday’s announcement, government and industry officials touted SMRs as key to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
OPG President and CEO Ken Hartwick said this project is the first, but likely won’t be the only one.
The site could accommodate four PRMs, but first it is necessary to know if the first one is a success, explained Mr. Hartwick.
Darlington’s first SMR is expected to begin generating power in 2028.
Supply issues
Ontario is heading for an electricity supply crisis over the next few years, with the province and the electricity system operator recently announcing a number of measures to try to anticipate it.
The province is looking to extend the life of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station by one year to 2026 and is considering a refurbishment to get another 30 years out of it. It is also acquiring more natural gas generation and electricity storage capacity and deploying energy efficiency programs.
Some nuclear facilities are on the verge of going offline, entirely or for refurbishment, and other generation contracts are expiring, while demand for electricity is accelerating rapidly due to the growth of manufacturing and electric vehicles.
Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith said this small, modular technology will help meet those demands.
Federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced that the Infrastructure Bank will invest $970 million in the project.
“Small modular reactors can be a key technology to deliver a net zero future,” he said. This is why the Government of Canada actively supports deployment and research in this area. »
Nuclear energy is emission free. However, it is expensive, its waste must be properly sealed and stored for decades and in the event of an accident, the consequences can be devastating.
Green Party critics
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner blamed the Progressive Conservative government for canceling 750 green energy contracts at the start of its first term, which could have addressed the supply crisis.
“People will pay the price in higher electric bills for Doug Ford’s decision to reject low-cost renewables in favor of high-cost SMRs,” he said in a statement.
Mr. Smith says the cost of the project will be paid through tariffs once the facility produces power.