Ontario Power Generation is assessing its Darlington small modular reactor project after a delay and potential cost overruns. The utility says it remains confident in its schedule and budget.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Ontario Power Generation’s plan to deploy a small modular reactor at the Darlington site is facing a delay and potential cost overruns, prompting the utility to assess the project’s schedule and budget. The company said it remains focused on the overall Darlington program, including ongoing refurbishment of existing units.
The Darlington New Nuclear Project involves the site preparation, construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of up to four new reactors. The technology selected for deployment is the GE Hitachi BWRX‑300, a 300 MWe small modular reactor.
OPG applied for a licence for the new reactors in October 2022, after selecting the BWRX‑300 in December 2021. The regulatory body required OPG to review the design against the original environmental assessment. OPG submitted its environmental-impact study review and related PPE materials in 2022 as part of the licensing process.
OPG attributes part of the delay to a construction licence granted by the regulator in April, which arrived later than expected. The months between breaking ground and scheduled completion remain unchanged, according to the utility. “OPG said it‘s confident it will stick to its schedule and budget,” the company stated.
Funding for the project is planned to come from OPG’s own resources. The utility said the government is not funding the project and that it will be financed using cash on hand, cash flow from generating stations and debt. That stance places financial risk for overruns on the utility and its project partners, with cost-sharing arrangements outlined in its statements.
In parallel with the SMR plans, the utility is conducting a substantial refurbishment of the site’s four existing reactors. The refurbishment project is described as ongoing, with a separate schedule and budget that OPG says remains on track and on budget, and it is expected to wrap up in the coming year.
The CNSC continues its oversight of the project, including design compliance and environmental reviews, while OPG remains engaged with its partners and stakeholders to determine how any deviations from the baseline impact the overall schedule and funding strategy. The outcome of the assessment and the regulator’s findings will shape the next phase of the plan.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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