Darlington nuclear power station set to reopen ahead of schedule, under budget

Ontario’s energy minister says the Ford government is seeing through its future plans on nuclear energy.

Stephen Lecce announced Monday that refurbishment work at the Darlington Power Plant near Oshawa is complete and just about ready for service.

Lecce says the entire $12.8 billion project is four months ahead of schedule and $150 million under budget as well.

However, Ontario’s green party believes the province’s all-in approach on nuclear, won’t make energy more affordable for Ontarians.

“We have the opportunity to be an energy superpower on the global stage and people look for expertise of our people here in Ontario,” said Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini.

Ontario’s plans for expanding its nuclear power capabilities appear to be on track after the province says the revitalization of the Darlington power plant is complete and built-to-last until 2055.

“Darlington’s unit 4 construction is complete and returning to service, four months ahead of schedule, with the full Darlington refurbishment $150 million under budget,” said Lecce.

Ontario’s energy minister said Monday that the $12.8 billion project was centred around the refurbishment of all four nuclear reactor units at the generating station.

The Ford government remains bullish on leaning heavily into nuclear power, as a way to meet the province’s fast-growing electricity needs, a demand that Lecce says could soar up to 90 per cent more over the next few decades.

READ MORE: Four small modular reactors at Darlington to cost $21 billion to build

“This project, through construction over the next 30 years, will generate up to $90 billion in economic benefit,” said Lecce. “Both construction jobs and the operating element. It will provide 3,500 megawatts of reliable, emission-free power. That’s power for 3.5 million homes and families.”

Despite commending the project’s efficient outcome, Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner is pushing back on the province’s approach to nuclear power.

“The problem is the government wants to move ahead with this high-cost, new nuclear, which is jacking up electricity prices last year, to the tune of 30 per cent stated in November of 2025,” said Schreiner.

Schreiner says Ontarians won’t see affordable power, due to costly ventures when it comes to building and expanding its small modular reactors (SMR).

He says Ontario is better offered with cheaper renewable options.

“The SMR’s the government is building, is using U.S. technology, locking us in, to be dependent on U.S.-rich Uranium,” said Schreiner. “It’s gone from an estimated cost of $4 billion, up to $21 billion and counting. That absolutely makes no sense, when the lowest cost sources of electricity, globally, are wind, solar and storage.”

The Ford government also has plans to add four more reactors to the Darlington site.

They’re also exploring expansions and new plants in Pickering, Port Hope and at Bruce power in Tiverton, Ont.

The province says the Darlington station will return to full service once the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission completes its initial power testing, which is scheduled for later this month.

READ MORE: Nuclear refurbishment done and under budget at Ontario’s Darlington plant: minister