Nuclear

OPG provides updates on SMRs, Darlington nuclear refurbishment

The provincial utility has completed early-phase site preparation work for the first SMR and site clearing activities for the three planned additional SMRs.
OPG provides updates on SMRs, Darlington nuclear refurbishment
(Darlington Nuclear Generating Station.)

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) provided updates on multiple nuclear projects in its 2024 second-quarter filings, including the latest on its goal to deploy North America’s first grid-scale small modular reactor (SMR).

As we’ve reported, OPG is planning to build a total of four SMRs at the Darlington nuclear site and would use GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 reactor technology. The four units once deployed would produce a total 1,200 MW of electricity.

In its latest filings, the provincial utility said it completed early-phase site preparation work for the first SMR and site clearing activities for the three planned additional SMRs in March 2024. Now, the project has commenced main site preparation activities.

OPG said the project completed the tunnel boring machine launch shaft retaining wall for the condenser cooling water system in June 2024. The company has now begun to drill for the reactor building shaft retaining wall. OPG is also planning for the procurement of long-lead items such as the fabrication of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV).

In October 2022, OPG submitted the License to Construct application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for the first SMR. In April 2024, Canadian regulators announced that the existing environmental assessment for the project is applicable to the BWRX-300 technology. The CNSC will hold a two-part second public hearing in October 2024 and January 2025 to consider OPG’s application.

Darlington refurbishment update

OPG also provided updates on the Darlington Refurbishment project, which began in 2016 to extend the lives of the station’s four units by at least 30 years. Refurbishment of Unit 2 was completed in June 2020, with Unit 3 completed in July 2023.

Work on Unit 1 began February 2022. In April 2024, OPG completed the lower feeder installation series and the lower body supports installation series for the Unit 1 refurbishment, signaling the end of reassembly. The loading of new fuel into the reactor was completed in May 2024.

The project is currently working to restore the reactor vault, which includes removing the bulkheads to reconnect Unit 1 back to the operating units. Vault restoration is on track for completion in August 2024. OPG said this would represent the completion of construction work and transition of the unit to start-up activities.

OPG said Unit 1 is expected to be returned to service by late 2024, ahead of its original schedule set for the second quarter of 2025.

Unit 4 refurbishment activities are currently in disassembly. The removal of the fuel channel assemblies is expected finished in the third quarter of 2024 with the removal of pressure tubes and calandria tubes. Refurbishment of Unit 4 is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2026.

OPG said the refurbishments of Units 1 and 4 incorporate the learnings from Units 2 and 3. The utility said it continues to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the project’s total cost, which is tracking toward its $12.8 billion budget.

In May 2024, OPG applied to renew the operating license for the Darlington GS for a period of 30 years beyond November 2025. The two-part public hearing is scheduled to be held by the CNSC in March 2025 and June 2025.

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