Guidelines

What is the Darlington refurbishment project?

What is the Darlington refurbishment project?

Following years of detailed planning, approvals and preparations, the Darlington Refurbishment Project team carries out the first major step in project execution: Shutting down the reactor and disconnecting it from the power grid. Removing fuel and heavy water from the reactor.

Is Darlington nuclear plant closing?

Learn how Ontario Power Generation and our project partners are safely shutting down each of the four CANDU® reactors at our Darlington Nuclear Generating Station as part of the station’s refurbishment.

Why is Pickering nuclear plant closing?

However, a number of experts told National Observer the Pickering plant is well past its prime and shouldn’t be allowed to continue operations. Jack Gibbons, president of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, cited the plant’s aging pressure tubes as one reason the plant should be shuttered.

What is Nuclear refurbishment?

Nuclear power plant refurbishment. The life of a nuclear power plant can be extended for several decades through refurbishment, by modernizing and enhancing major equipment and systems to support long-term operation.

Why can Candu reactors use natural uranium?

CANDU replaces this “light” water with heavy water. Heavy water’s extra neutron decreases its ability to absorb excess neutrons, resulting in a better neutron economy. This allows CANDU to run on unenriched natural uranium, or uranium mixed with a wide variety of other materials such as plutonium and thorium.

Why is OPG shutting down?

We are currently closed to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Why is heavy water used in CANDU reactors?

Heavy water’s extra neutron decreases its ability to absorb excess neutrons, resulting in a better neutron economy. This allows CANDU to run on unenriched natural uranium, or uranium mixed with a wide variety of other materials such as plutonium and thorium.

Which country has the most plutonium?

The largest stockpiles belonged to the United States with 502 tons of plutonium, Russia with 271 tons and France with 236 tons, according to the report. Stocks of civilian plutonium grow by 70 tons each year, according to the report.

Is NZ Nuclear Free?

New Zealand is a nuclear-free zone, which means no nuclear weapons or nuclear powered ships are allowed in our territory. Find out how New Zealanders protested to make sure we were nuclear-free, and how incidents like the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior impacted on the nuclear-free movement.

What is the future of OPG?

Under the proposed plan, OPG will shutdown Pickering’s units 1 and 4 in 2024 and units 5 to 8 in 2025. The safe, sequential shutdown of all units will maximize the economic benefits of the generation station in the community. OPG’s plan requires approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

What’s the status of the Darlington refurbishment project?

Learn about the 2019 fourth quarter performance of the Darlington Refurbishment, one of Canada’s largest clean energy projects. This year, the Darlington Refurbishment project team is preparing for two major milestones: Unit 2 restart and Unit 3 breaker open.

Is the Darlington nuclear reactor back in service?

The Darlington Refurbishment project is set to build on its success with the defuelling of Unit 3, the second reactor scheduled for refurbishment. After more than a decade of planning followed by more than three years of safe, quality work, Unit 2 at Darlington is now back in service.

How many jobs will be created at Darlington?

Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington Refurbishment Project will generate approximately 14,200 jobs per year over the course of 10 years. To complete this 10-year undertaking on time and on budget, see how we and our project partners are employing highly-skilled workers from across the province.

Who is the Auditor General for the Darlington project?

In the Good News section of her 2018 annual report, auditor general Bonnie Lysyk noted that while the project still faces risks that could impact its cost and time estimates, OPG’s diligent oversight in monitoring the project ensures it remains on track. Darlington’s strong performance brings Unit 3 reactor refurbishment ahead of schedule.