Commissioned in early 1990’s, the Darlington station generates electricity required to meet approximately 20% of the province’s electricity needs.
The 10-year refurbishment project involves removal, replacement and repairing of critical components which include the fuel channels, calandria tubes and feeders, steam generators, turbine generators, fuel handling systems and other ancillary plant equipment in each of the four reactors at the power plant.
Each of the four reactors of the Darlington station will be taken out of service to allow for the replacement of fuel channels, feeder pipes, calandria tubes and end fittings.
The upgrade project will help extend the operational life of the reactors to up to 2055, contributing a total of $90bn to Ontario’s GDP.
Ontario Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault said that the Darlington facility refurbishment project will create up to 11,800 jobs annually while contributing nearly $15bn to Ontario’s economy.
Upon completion of the upgrade project in 2026, the average cost of power generated from the Darlington facility is estimated to range between $72/MWh and $81MWh.
As part of the upgrade project, a C$2.75bn ($1.94bn) contract was awarded by provincial government-owned OPG to a 50/50 joint venture (JV) of Aecon Group and SNC-Lavalin.
As per the contract, the JV will be responsible for the execution phase of the Darlington re-tube and feeder replacement (RFR) scope of work.
Image: Refurbishment work begins at OPG’s Darlington nuclear power plant in Ontario, Canada. Photo: courtesy of Ontario Power Generation Inc.
