Ontario powers ahead with Canada's first grid-scale nuclear reactor
Ontario is powering ahead with plans for Canada’s first grid-scale reactor of its kind, as the province tries to keep up with rising electricity demand using low-emission power sources.
“This Small Modular Reactor that we are going to be building on site here could power a city like Landon and many others,” Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith said at a news conference in Clarington, Ont where the new reactor will be built close to the current four CANDU reactors at the Darlington Nuclear Generation Station.
The 300-megawatt output of the new reactor, billed as a clean-energy source by the minister as well as “safe and flexible, and reliable,” is much less than the older CANDU reactors, but can be scaled.
“It builds a very flexible resource where if you build multiple copies of it you can shape the power to the load much more easily,” said Jeff Lyash, president and CEO of Tennessee Valley Authority, which has partnered with Ontario Power Generation to fund development on the modular reactors.
Currently about 60 per cent of Ontario’s daily power usage comes from nuclear plants, but demand is growing.
As older nuclear plants near retirement age, the Independent Electricity System Operator has said natural gas will be needed in the coming years or there would be rolling blackouts across the provincial grid and higher electricity bills by 2030.
Minister Smith maintains nuclear power will be the “backbone” of Ontario electricity in years to come as the province looks to reach net-zero when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Another hurdle is labour. The Ontario government has estimated there will be a skilled trade shortage of 350,000 people by 2025.
“It is something we’re working very closely with the province in a variety different areas into the trade,” said Ontario Power Generation President Ken Hartwick.
The new Darlington plant, planned to be completed by the end of the decade, would employ 200 people during operations, as well as 2,300 jobs during planning and development, according to a 2020 study by the Conference board of Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.