Unit 1 Set to Deliver Clean, Reliable and Affordable Nuclear Power for an Additional Thirty Years
November 18, 2024
DARLINGTON – Ontario is announcing the completion of the refurbishment of Unit 1 at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in Clarington five months ahead of schedule, marking a significant milestone in the province’s plan to tackle soaring demand for energy. Refurbishing and returning Unit 1 to service provides 875 megawatts of reliable, affordable and clean power for the next thirty years, enough to power 875,000 homes.
"Over the past six years our government has restored our province's clean and affordable energy advantage," said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
"The completion of this critical refurbishment ahead of schedule is ensuring the reliability and stability of our growing electrical grid."
"Ontario needs more electricity - seventy-five percent more by 2050 - to power new homes, historic new investments and an electrifying economy," said Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification.
"Delivering this massive clean energy project five months ahead of schedule is a testament to the incredible knowledge and skill of Ontario workers and positions us for success as we build out our plan to meet the soaring energy demand over the next twenty-five years."
The Darlington Refurbishment Project is one of Canada's largest energy projects. The refurbishment of Unit 1 involved the successful removal and replacement of major components of the reactor and its associated equipment including pressure tubes, calandria tubes and feeder pipes, as well as inspection and upgrades of the turbine generator equipment.
According to an independent report by the Conference Board of Canada, the $12.8 billion project, and the subsequent thirty years of station operation, are expected to generate a total of $90 billion in economic benefits for Ontario and create 14,200 jobs per year. With ninety-six percent of project costs spent in the province, for every $1 spent on the project, Ontario’s Gross Domestic Productwill increase by an average of $1.40.
"Unit 1 is the third unit we will have refurbished months ahead of schedule, safely and with quality," said Ken Hartwick, President and CEO of Ontario Power Generation.
"Through the planning, dedication, skill and innovation of Ontario Power Generation and its project partner team, including hundreds of skilled tradespeople, we are now in year nine of this ten-year refurbishment project execution phase, clearly demonstrating we can complete large, complex nuclear projects on schedule and on budget."
According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator, the province's demand for electricity is forecast to increase by seventy-five percent by 2050, the equivalent of adding four and a half cities the size of Toronto to the grid. Continued operation of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station during that period will help tackle the rising demand while reducing emissions, taking the equivalent of two million cars off Ontario's roads per year.
The Darlington Refurbishment Project is just one part of Ontario's Affordable Energy Future, the government’s vision as it plans for rising energy demand, which includes:
Quick Facts:
The Darlington Refurbishment Project will secure 3,500 megawatts of reliable, low cost, and emissions-free power for an additional thirty years.
Unit 1 is the third of four units that have been successfully refurbished to date by Ontario Power Generation, with the overall project tracking on-time and on-budget. Unit 4 is tracking to be completed by 2026.
- The refurbishment of Unit 1 was completed by approximately 6,000 Ontario workers over the course of the project, including project management, support services and skilled tradespeople.