Canadians for Nuclear Energy

Proud of the role that Canadians for Nuclear Energy played in the battle to get Pickering refurbished and in our team, Christopher Adlam, Tom Hess and Jules Besseling, who developed an excellent CNSC submission in support of life extending the Pickering B units to 2026.

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the independent Commission’s decision to amend the licence held by Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) for the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS). This decision authorizes OPG to operate Units 5–8 at the PNGS until December 31, 2026, up to a maximum of 305,000 equivalent full power hours (EFPH). #NuclearEnergy https://lnkd.in/gyxFgXN6

Keefer, a Toronto emergency room doctor when he’s not extolling the merits of nuclear power in the media or on his podcasts, said Pickering was built instead of another coal plant to power the Ontario auto industry and played a “key role” in the final phase out coal in the province. The CANDU design also provided the basis for the highly successful CANDU-6 reactor design successfully exported around the world, including Romania where a CANDU-6 unit was the top performing reactor in the world between 2011-2021 with an average capacity factor of 94 per cent. He is also not yet sold on the idea that the lifespan of Pickering ‘A’ is over. “I think we have yet to see the end of Pickering A,” he said. “While refurbishing the Pickering A reactors would be more challenging than the four Pickering B reactors … it is not outside the realm of possibility that Unit 1 could be refurbished at some point in the future.” The on-budget and on-time refurbishments at Bruce and Darlington combined with the ever-increasing appetite for 24/7 zero carbon baseload power from organizations “willing to pay top dollar” might just mean that Pickering Unit 1 is not done, he added. “Just look at Three Mile Island Unit 1 (not the melted down Unit 2) that is being restarted due to a lucrative power purchase agreement between Microsoft and the nuclear plant owner Constellation that was signed just last month.” https://lnkd.in/g_Tv8Nvc

Pickering was the home of many firsts in a blossoming nuclear industry in Canada, providing a viable alternative to LWR designs for countries, like Canada, that had no enrichment capacity because they had no weapons program. The high capacity factors and online refueling that the CANDU offered early on positioned it well among its peers. Pickering set runtime records, and it is fitting that yet another CANDU, Darlington Unit 1, holds the current runtime record for any thermal plant at 1,106 days. While we say goodbye to the oldest operating CANDU tonight, it is bitter sweet, as the future of its newer sister units at the B side is bright, with refurbishment in the future. #Pickering2075

The value of #nuclear's clean dependable baseload energy is growing more important every day. The recognition of that value is in itself on an exponential rise too. #NuclearEnergy

"Ontario’s grid already relies heavily on low-emission sources like nuclear and hydro, meaning wind power’s added benefit in reducing emissions is limited." Edgardo Sepulveda exposes the staggering costs due to the province’s misguided wind energy policies.. https://lnkd.in/gNpim-ka

"Nobody puts baby in the corner." #CANDU Yet some seem to do so consistently, even after basking in the limelight of others achievements. In the end, they always revert back to what they do best. #NuclearEnergy

"A new book opposing nuclear energy unintentionally highlights how 1970s opposition was a dead end for the Left. By examining contemporary arguments, it becomes clear that this historic stance has hindered climate progress & energy reliability." https://lnkd.in/gXCsx9uB

Chris Keefer, president of the group Canadians for Nuclear Energy, acknowledges that AtkinsRéalis’ former name will be a political problem “It is a big problem, and I think the solution to that is some sort of a consortium approach,” he said. “There’s a way to make this not just about AtkinsRéalis, but really sort of a team Canada or a team Candu approach.” Keefer’s group doesn’t receive funds from AtkinsRéalis and isn’t a member of Canadians for Candu, but he does believe the reactor should get government support. American company Westinghouse, which has the AP1000 reactor, received U.S. support for its design and Keefer argued it is not uncommon in the industry. “There’s definitely a strong history of national governments backing their tech champions in this sector,” he added that in Canada’s case the argument is stronger, because the government would ultimately own the intellectual property. He said the Candu reactors created the country’s nuclear industry and kept work going for 60 years. He argues nuclear is a high-tech industry that creates Canadian jobs where this country can continue to be a leader. “In terms of Canadian high tech, what really remains is nuclear, and it’s so intact because of Candu.” https://lnkd.in/gcMMphz3

Ignace is now the first of four communities to make its decision known, & town council voted in favour of a deep geological repository at a special meeting. Out of the 640 residents who voted, 495 or 77 per cent voted in favour. #NuclearEnergy https://lnkd.in/gwNcsBQD