Nuclear decommissioning

Generating nuclear power effectively and safely is an incredible responsibility that we at Ontario Power Generation (OPG) take very seriously.

See how we are always planning ahead and at every step of the nuclear energy production process, including planning for the eventual decommissioning of our stations, to ensure the safety of Ontario for generations to come.

Generating guarantees

In Canada, it is not enough to simply build a nuclear facility to generate power.

From the earliest days of each project, OPG is required by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to have a Financial Guarantee in place to ensure it can cover the costs of the eventual decommissioning of its nuclear facilities.

This process ensures that each move OPG makes is in the best interests of Ontarians and aligns with proper stewardship of natural resources and economic needs,

The Financial Guarantee is reviewed and revised regularly.

  • The current guarantee covers the period between 2018-2022.
  • OPG has submitted a Notice of Intent to renew its financial guarantee for decommissioning to cover the period between 2023-2027.
  • The Commission will conduct a Hearing in Writing for OPG’s proposed consolidated financial guarantee, as per the Notice of Hearing OPG-FG-CMD22-H104-e.
  • To support the proposed consolidated financial guarantee, OPG has prepared Commission Member Document (CMD) 22-H104.1.

For more information related to the Hearing in Writing, please visit the CNSC website.

A transport vehicle for nuclear waste dry storage containers.

Waste facility decommissioning.

We manage the entire lifecycle of our nuclear facilities including long-term waste management and eventual decommissioning of our waste facilities

Planning for nuclear station decommissioning

It is imperative that Preliminary Decommissioning Plans (PDPs) are put into place for OPG’s existing and future nuclear generating facilities. These plans describe the activities required to decommission OPG’s nuclear stations and restore site locations so that the land may be used for other purposes.

The PDPs for each of OPG’s nuclear sites show that decommissioning is feasible with existing technology and provide a basis for estimating the cost of decommissioning. They also include schedules and cost estimates based on the latest planning assumptions available at the time.

The power of nuclear

Explore our nuclear operations and their many benefits.
An aerial view of Darlington Nuclear Generating Station.

Darlington Nuclear Station

Learn about OPG's Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, the second-largest nuclear power station in Canada.
A view of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station from Lake Ontario.

Pickering Nuclear Station

Learn more about OPG’s Pickering Nuclear station, which generates clean, reliable, and safe electricity for Ontario.
A worker in protective clothing works on nuclear isotope harvesting.

Nuclear isotopes

OPG's nuclear reactors don't just generate power, they generate life-saving medical isotopes that diagnose and treat disease.

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