Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is launching the Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability in Pickering, a world class facility that will attract skilled jobs, innovative businesses and economic development to the Durham region as well as advance solutions for minimizing nuclear materials and recycling clean materials.
“OPG and the nuclear industry in Ontario are already recognized for their excellence in the safe and reliable operation of CANDU nuclear stations,” said Carla Carmichael, Vice President of Nuclear Decommissioning Strategies for OPG. “The Centre will integrate collaboration and research to identify innovative solutions in the nuclear sector while also supporting the work underway to prepare for decommissioning the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.”
“Durham Region is proud to be the Clean Energy Capital of Canada. It is home to some of the strongest energy and engineering businesses in Canada, including OPG,” said John Henry, Chair, Region of Durham. “We are excited about OPG’s Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability which will no doubt create jobs and attract new suppliers and businesses to the Region and allow for continued collaboration with our post-secondary institutions, businesses and local stakeholders. OPG has been a vital part of the Region for many years and we look forward to a bright future.”
“The City of Pickering has valued OPG’s safe and reliable operations in our community for many years,” said Deputy Mayor Kevin Ashe, City of Pickering. “Now, as they launch the Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability, we look forward to working together to attract new suppliers and business to the City and find new opportunities for economic development. The Pickering Nuclear Generating Station will be one of the first CANDU reactors in the world to be decommissioned, and we are excited to be a part of this new centre.”
“We celebrate the launch of the new Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability, a hub for innovative nuclear solutions that will support Pickering Nuclear Generating Station’s decommissioning process and create immediate opportunities for economic development in the region,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines. “OPG’s Pickering Nuclear Generating Station has been providing Ontario with safe and reliable nuclear power for decades. We’re fortunate to be home to world-class facilities like this in Ontario.”
“The Pickering Generating Station is world-class facility so it is only fitting that OPG leverages its years of expertise to create a centre that will support research, collaboration and innovation within the nuclear sector while also attracting jobs and strengthening the economy, right here in our community,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board and MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge.
With participation from the wider industry, the Centre will operate as a hub to:
- leverage and coordinate Ontario’s vast talents and competencies to make Canada a world leader in nuclear decommissioning
- advance solutions for nuclear materials, with a continuing emphasis on minimizing its environmental footprint
- create economic growth in Ontario and a significant number of highly skilled jobs over the next several years
- mobilize Ontario’s strong nuclear supply chain to develop tooling required for nuclear decommissioning
- collaborate by forming partnerships with the industry, community, local businesses, academia, Indigenous communities and global entities to discover research, development and export opportunities for innovative nuclear energy solutions.
As owner of the largest CANDU reactor fleet in Canada, OPG has a unique ability to harness and consolidate activities across the nuclear industry to provide sustainable solutions for the industry, environment, community and Ontario ratepayers.
OPG is the largest electricity generator in the province, providing almost half of the power Ontarians rely on every day. It is also one of the most diverse generators in North America, with expertise in nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, solar and natural gas technologies.
Source: OPG
