Tuesdays on the Trail Returns
Looking for something fun to do this summer? Mark your calendars for the return of OPG’s annual action-packed lineup of Tuesdays on the Trail programs. OPG will collaborate with a variety of community partners to provide a diverse lineup of free, fun and educational programs throughout the summer months.
To learn more about upcoming events and program details, please visit opg.com/durham.
Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment complete
After a decade of thorough planning, another nine years of careful execution and millions of hours worked, OPG’s four unit Darlington Refurbishment is now complete.
Completion of the project ensures Darlington will continue to produce 3,500 MW of clean, reliable and affordable electricity - enough to power more than 2 million homes for an additional 30-plus years.
This major achievement was made possible through the collaboration and innovation of project partners, energy professionals, skilled trades workers and industry experts.
OPG will look to leverage this experience to successfully execute future projects, including the Pickering Nuclear Refurbishment Project and the deployment of four Small Modular Reactors at the Darlington site, pending regulatory approvals, as well as the proposed new nuclear in Port Hope.
Darlington New Nuclear Project progresses
The Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP) construction site continues to transform. Excavation of all three major shafts – the launch shaft, forebay shaft and reactor building shaft – wrapped up in late spring, setting the stage for two important next steps.
On April 22, a nearly 2 million pound component called a basemat, made of welded diaphragm plate steel composite modules, was lifted by crane from the nearby pre-assembly building (large tent-like structure), and lowered 34 metres into the reactor shaft, laying the foundation for the future Small Modular Reactor (SMR).
Later this summer, working in adherence to regulatory approvals, a custom-designed tunnel boring machine will bore and line the 3.4-kilometre-long Condenser Cooling Water tunnel beneath the lake. This tunnel will become the deep-water intake which will deliver the cooling water necessary to operate the four planned SMRs.
Wesleyville Impact Assessment continues
To help meet the growing demand for electricity in the province, the Ontario government has asked OPG to explore the potential of hosting up to 10,000 MW of nuclear power generation at its Wesleyville site in Port Hope.
The proposed project is subject to a federal integrated Impact Assessment (IA) and is moving through the initial stages of the IA process. OPG has provided the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) with an Initial Project Description (IPD), as well as a response to the issues received by IAAC during the first public comment period. Soon, OPG will receive final Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines from the Agency, which will outline the information and studies OPG must provide to inform the IA.
Throughout all phases of the IA, OPG continues to engage closely with Indigenous Nations and communities, the Municipality of Port Hope and surrounding communities, and the public. Since the beginning of the year, the OPG team has met with thousands of people at community events, public information sessions and through targeted engagement methods, like presentations and tours. This spring, outreach included an information booth at Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny, tours for students at OPG’s Nuclear Discovery Centre, and public information sessions.
OPG is committed to building strong, lasting relationships with the public and all of its stakeholders with an interest in the proposed project. To learn more about the potential for new nuclear generation at OPG’s Wesleyville site in Port Hope, visit www.opg.com/wesleyville, drop by our Nuclear Discovery Centre or Contact Us.
Pickering licence renewal
OPG has submitted an application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to request the renewal of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station’s (NGS) Power Reactor Operating Licence (PROL) for a 10 year term from Jan. 1, 2027 to Dec. 31, 2036. The application includes the request to refurbish Units 5 to 8, continue decommissioning Units 1 to 4, and consolidate activities currently licensed under the Pickering Waste Facility Operating Licence with the Pickering NGS PROL. Learn more about OPG’s application at opg.com/pickering.
The CNSC will consider OPG’s application through a two-part public hearing: Part 1 on June 23, 2026, and Part 2 during the week of October 5, 2026.
For more information about the licence renewal process and opportunities for public participation, visit the CNSC website at www.cnsc-csnc.gc.ca, or visit opg.com/durham to learn where you can engage with members of the OPG team.
Pickering Nuclear marks record production of life-saving isotopes
OPG’s Pickering NGS recently harvested a record amount of the life-saving isotope Cobalt-60 (Co-60). This important by-product is used to irradiate and sterilize 30 per cent of the world’s single-use medical devices. The record-setting haul, which took place during a maintenance outage on Pickering’s Unit 6, is enough to sterilize roughly 4.3 billion medical syringes. Pickering Nuclear has been producing Co-60 since 1971.
OPG celebrates supporting more than 10 million trees planted since 2000
OPG, with the help of its partners, has planted more than 10 million trees and shrubs since 2000, setting roots for a healthier, more sustainable Ontario. This achievement was celebrated during an event in April.
Over the past 25 years, OPG has worked with more than 30 tree-planting partners, including non-profit organizations, conservation authorities, and Indigenous Nations and communities. These collaborative efforts, with Forests Canada as a primary partner, have been essential to the success of the company’s large-scale tree planting initiatives.
This large-scale initiative has helped to strengthen the province’s biodiversity, mitigate climate change impacts, and build a more sustainable future.
Bring Back the Salmon
In late May, students from Duffin’s Bay Public School and Holy Family Elementary School released 300 salmon fry into local watersheds in Pickering and Bowmanville.
The students were joined by program partners from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, who shared their conservation expertise and helped bring the experience to life.
The Bring Back the Salmon Educational Hatchery is a four-tier program that emphasizes hands-on learning about habitat restoration and responsible environmental stewardship. OPG has been a leading sponsor of the program since 2011.
To learn more, visit www.bringbackthesalmon.ca.
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Community Power ExpoJoin us this September at the Darlington Energy Complex (1855 Energy Drive, Courtice) for OPG’s Community Power Expo and dive into the dynamic world of clean energy! This FREE interactive, family-friendly event promises hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and opportunities to connect with the people powering Ontario. Watch opg.com/durham for details. | KI Pill distributionResidents living within 10 km of the Pickering and Darlington nuclear stations will receive replacement potassium iodide (KI) pills in the mail in 2026. These pills will replace those distributed in 2015, which are set to expire in 2027. The KI pills will be delivered automatically based on your address and postal code. Visit preparetobesafe.ca for more information. | Medical isotopesOPG’s fleet of nuclear reactors have the power to create more than just electricity. Radioisotopes produced at Pickering and Darlington play an essential role in healthcare, supporting applications such as medical instrument sterilization, advanced imaging procedures, and targeted radiotherapy treatments. Scan the QR code to learn more about nuclear isotopes produced at OPG. Learn more at opg.com/isotopes. |
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