A Canadian nuclear body has issued a license to construct small modular reactors (SMRs). Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has authorized Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for SMRs’ construction.
OPG will now construct 1 General Electric Hitachi BWRX-300 reactor at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site in Clarington, Ontario.
The license, which includes site-specific conditions, will be valid till March 31, 2035.
Historic milestone for modular reactor’s manufacturing
“This approval is a historic milestone for Ontario and Canada. The Darlington Small Modular Reactor (SMR) will be the first of its kind in the G7, helping to power our growing province with reliable, affordable, and emissions-free energy,” said Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines.
The Darlington New Nuclear Project could create up to 17,000 Canadian jobs during construction, contribute over $15 billion to Canada’s GDP, and drive $500 million annually into our supply chain because our government has insisted and successfully negotiated that local Ontario and Canadian businesses must be overwhelmingly used to build SMRs for the world.
The CNSC highlighted that OPG is qualified to construct the reactor and will do so in a way that protects the health and safety of people and the environment.
Darlington New Nuclear Project not likely to cause adverse effects
Ontario Power Generation applied for a license to prepare a site for the reactor in September 2006, and the CNSC began the environmental assessment process in May 2007.
This was completed in 2012, with a determination from the Government of Canada that the Darlington New Nuclear Project was not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.
Reports revealed that in December 2021, OPG announced that it had selected the GE Hitachi BWRX-300 reactor for deployment at the site. It applied for the construction license in October 2022.
BWRX-300 reactor is claimed to be an innovative, simplified, and cost-competitive reactor.
Powered by proven and commercially available fuel, the BWRX-300 SMR features an innovative and simplified configuration, resulting in less concrete and steel needed for construction.
This modular nuclear reactor is a cost-competitive solution that can be deployed for electricity generation and industrial applications, including hydrogen production, desalination, and district heating, according to GE.
Cost-competitive solution provides 300 MW of carbon-free power
The reactor can provide 300 MW of carbon-free power, and it has simple and innovative digital offerings that lower costs and improve safety. The reactor is also available at a competitive cost as it offers less capital cost per MW when compared with a typical water-cooled SMR.
Also, steam condensation and gravity allow the BWRX-300 to cool itself for a minimum of seven days without power or operator action.
Using a combination of modular and open-top construction techniques, the BWRX-300 can be constructed in 24-36 months while achieving an approximate 90 percent volume reduction in plant layout.
In addition, reducing the building volume by about 50 percent per MW should also account for 50 percent less concrete per MW—a significant improvement in both affordability and advantageous size.
