2023 Community Power Expo recap
In September, we welcomed more than 3,500 people from across the province to our 2023 OPG Community Power Expo.
Visitors explored the Darlington Energy Complex, took a bus tour around the Darlington site, explored virtual reality software and engaged in conversations with many of our incredible community partners. Interactive experiences included tours of our full-scale nuclear reactor mock-up, meeting Spot the robotic dog and different birds of prey and reptiles with Earth Rangers.
From nuclear and hydro power, to energy storage and electric mobility, this family event gave visitors a chance to learn how OPG is electrifying life in one generation.
Visitors also had an opportunity to support Feed the Need Durham. Our communities came together to donate a remarkable 387 pounds of food and hundreds of dollars in monetary donations, providing 1,738 meals to individuals and families in the Durham Region.
Annual DRPS Food and Toy Drive
Each year, OPG employees generously participate in the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) Food and Toy Drive. The annual drive provides families in need with food and toys for the holiday season.
The 2023 drive was no exception with staff donating toys for all age groups, over 1,300 non-perishable food items, and a monetary donation of over $23,000!
The past year has seen an increase in the cost of living, leading to a greater need for assistance in our communities, most especially for food.
A big thank you goes out to everyone across the region who donated or volunteered. Together, we are helping make a difference in our community for those who need it most.
Darlington New Nuclear Project
Big things start small.
The picture of progress
You’ve likely noticed the growing soil pile adjacent to the eastbound lanes of the 401 highway at Holt Road. The soil, all clean and native to the site, is being excavated from the southern portion of the Darlington New Nuclear site to prepare for the future planned construction of the first Small Modular Reactor (SMR). These clearing and grading activities are being completed under the project’s current Site Preparation License.
As a result of the July 2023 Government of Ontario announcement that OPG would be proceeding with the planning and licensing for three additional SMR units at the Darlington New Nuclear site, the soil pile will continue to grow throughout the construction phases for all four units (pending regulatory approvals).
The soil will remain in that area and similar to the excavated soil from the build of our existing Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, we will seed and plant on the soil to blend in with the surrounding landscape and habitats.
Public Hearing
Earlier this year, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) issued a public notice announcing two public hearings on the Darlington New Nuclear Project. The first hearing took place the week of January 22, 2024, and focused specifically on the applicability of the original Environmental Assessment to our selected reactor technology (GE Hitachi’s BWRX- 300). Pending results of this first hearing, a decision on whether to issue a construction licence would be considered at a second public hearing, likely in the fall of 2024. The next stage in the project is obtaining a construction licence which would allow for nuclear construction to begin.
To stay up to date on the Darlington New Nuclear Project, scan the QR code or visit www.opg.com/newnuclear
Electrifying education
OPG’s Darlington New Nuclear Team has been electrifying education by visiting local elementary schools within the Region of Durham. During Science Literacy Week, OPG partnered with Scientists in School to offer an educational electricity workshop. The workshop included a presentation by OPG on nuclear power and SMRs, a hands-on lesson about electricity presented by Scientists in School, an SMR quiz, and a special visit from Spot the robot dog provided by OPG’s X-Lab team!
Over the course of the fall, the team engaged with students and educators from across Durham Region to demonstrate in a fun and engaging way how OPG and SMRs are helping power a cleaner, more sustainable future for our communities.
Build what you CAN
Employees from across Durham Region supported Feed the Need through a fundraising initiative internally coined “Build what you CAN”. This food drive challenges OPG teams to build structures out of non-perishable food items to support those in need in our local communities.
For the second year in a row, OPG’s DNNP team, including partners from GE Hitachi, won the competition for their replica BWRX-300 reactor. The entire OPG team collected more than $4,400 worth of food donations for those in need across Durham.
Visit www.feedtheneedindurham.ca for information and donation opportunities.
Community engagement stats
7
DNNP-focused discussions with three community committees
0
people attended three project-related Public Information Sessions
0
social media posts about project development & SMRs
16
project-related media releases and news stories posted to opg.com
0
members of the public attended our 2023 Community Power Expo
0
responses to public inquiries received via web, phone and email
0
people invited to two stakeholder workshops
0
people engaged with our staff at 33 community events and two mall-based kiosks
Have you seen us?
As the project progresses, our team will continue to be active in the community. This year, we’ve engaged with over 10,000 people at numerous community events. Visit www.opg.com/newnuclear
2022 Sustainability Award
Last fall, OPG received the 2022 Sustainability Award at the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce (GOCC) annual Business Excellence Awards. The GOCC Business Excellence Awards celebrate and recognize businesses that have made a significant contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of the greater Oshawa community. The Sustainability Award recognizes an eco-friendly business with a persistent dedication to ensuring clean production and use of their services. OPG takes pride in its actions and commitments to reach a carbon-free future, while providing Ontario with clean and reliable power. We strive to conduct business in a sustainable way that benefits the communities in which we operate and are honoured to have been given this award.
Pickering looks to the future
As Ontario’s other nuclear stations undergo refurbishment, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) identified a need for additional electricity through to 2026. OPG is seeking approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), through a public hearing process, to operate Pickering’s Units 5 to 8 to the end of 2026, while Units 1 and 4 will cease operations at the end of 2024. The current licence includes operation of all units to the end of 2024, followed by safe storage activities to the end of 2028. The CNSC will hold a public hearing the week of June 17, 2024 to consider OPG’s licence amendment application.
Hearing details will be provided in early 2024 and posted on the CNSC website at www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca.
Did you know?
Aside from producing the clean, reliable energy we benefit from every day, Pickering Nuclear has been a vital source of life-saving Cobalt-60, providing 20 per cent of the radioactive isotope globally. Together, Ontario’s CANDU reactors supply more than 50 per cent of the world’s Cobalt-60, which is used to safely sterilize medical equipment and food products. At OPG, we don’t just produce electricity, we are proud to help provide a healthier and safer quality of life because of the isotopes generated by our stations.
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