The Canadian Nuclear Security Fee (CNSC) has authorized Ontario Energy Era’s (OPG) request to proceed working Pickering items 5 to eight to the top of 2026, making certain the items can proceed in operation till they’re taken offline for refurbishment.
In its determination, launched on 11 October, the CNSC authorized OPG’s request for a licence modification to function Models 5 to eight to 31 December 2026, as much as a most of 305,000 equal full energy hours.
OPG is planning to refurbish items 5, 6, 7 and eight at Pickering, marking a significant turnaround for the ability, which was scheduled to shut by 2025.
Pickering at the moment has six Candu 500 515-MW pressurised heavy water reactor items in industrial operation – Models 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and eight. Models 2 and three had been completely shut down in 2007 and 2008. Models 1 and 4, which started industrial operation in 1973, are set for a everlasting retirement on the finish of 2024.
OPG mentioned it’s persevering with to advance planning for the refurbishment, which might be full by the mid-2030s and will see the items function for an additional 30 years or extra.
OPG had meant to start the refurbishment undertaking this yr with engineering and design work and securing long-lead elements. OPG’s timeline envisages placing the complete station layup in 2026 in order that refurbishment can start.
In accordance with Ontario power minister Todd Smith, the undertaking will start with CAD2bn ($1.4bn, €1.3bn) of funding for scoping engineering design work that’s anticipated to start “over the next year or so.”
He instructed that the scoping and engineering work is anticipated to tell OPG’s future steps, together with a agency schedule and correct value estimates.
