Alleviating years of uncertainty, shortly before the release of the Long Term Energy Plan, the Ontario government released its general expectations and a number of principles it intends to use to guide the development of nuclear energy in the province. Plans for new nuclear capacity have been put on hold for the time being, but refurbishment at both the Darlington and Bruce nuclear generating stations will go ahead.
Key components of the government announcement were as follows:
• Nuclear refurbishment will begin at the Darlington and Bruce Generating Stations in 2016.
• Ontario will not proceed with the construction of two new nuclear reactors at the Darlington Generating Station. The province will continue to work with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to consider new build in the future.
• During refurbishment, both OPG and Bruce Power will be subject to the strictest possible oversight to ensure safety, reliable supply and value for ratepayers.
• Nuclear refurbishment will follow seven principles that have been established by the government, such as minimizing risk to the government and ratepayers, and ensuring that operators and contractors are accountable for refurbishment costs and schedules.
• 9,000 additional people would be employed during the refurbishment period, bringing the total number of people employed in support of nuclear plant operations and refurbishment in Ontario to approximately 25,000.
APPrO President Dave Butters said he was pleased that the government committed to a timetable for nuclear refurbishments at Bruce and Darlington. “These clean energy resources are the backbone of our electricity supply and help to keep electricity prices low and stable. We cannot afford any uncertainty regarding their future,” he added.