CNSC approves construction of Ontario small modular reactor

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has approved the construction of a small modular reactor at the site of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. The project was proposed by Ontario Power Generation. It is the first step of the province in the field of small modular reactors, with four facilities already planned to be built at the Darlington site. The CNSC granted the licence for building a General Electric Hitachi BWRX-300 reactor. Once the structure is built, the commission will hold a new process to decide on a licence to operate it.
Small modular reactors are part of Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce’s strategy to rely more on nuclear power to meet the province’s increasing electricity demands. This strategy also includes plans for refurbishing the Pickering nuclear plant and building two new facilities at Tiverton and Port Hope. Commenting on the CNSC’s decision, Lecce said the small modular reactor at Darlington will be the first of its kind in the G7.