OPG signs fuel deals for New Nuclear Project

CLARINGTON, ONT. — Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has announced a series of partnerships with companies from Canada, the U.S. and France to supply fuel for the first unit of its four-unit Darlington New Nuclear Project. 

A Canadian company, Cameco, which has uranium mines in Saskatchewan and a uranium hexafluoride conversion facility in Port Hope, Ont., will supply natural UF6, stated a release.

U.S.-based Urenco will provide uranium enrichment services from their operations in Eunice, N.M.

France’s Orano will provide additional enriched uranium product from their operations in France.

U.S.-based Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas LLC, a GE-led joint venture, will provide fuel fabrication and related technical services and fuel assemblies.

In December 2021, OPG announced its selection of the General Electric Hitachi BWRX-300 reactor for deployment at the Ontario site. Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission staff are currently completing a technical assessment of the application, and hearings for the project are expected to begin in 2024.

“Access to clean energy at large scale is becoming a key determinant of a country’s competitiveness and security,” stated Ken Hartwick, OPG president and CEO, in a statement. “Because of our leadership in nuclear generation and supply chains, Ontario and Canada are well-positioned to work with companies from like-minded ally nations to send an important message to the world that a safe, secure, clean global energy system is achievable through nuclear power.”