Ontario minister says CNSC approves 20-year licence for Darlington Nuclear Generating Station

In a Sept. 25 statement, Ontario Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved Ontario Power Generation’s operating licence for the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station through 2045, which he described as a 20-year term and the longest licence the regulator has issued.

Lecce said the approval allows the station to continue producing electricity and medical isotopes and supports 2,500 workers. He characterized nuclear power as central to the province’s integrated energy plan in light of projected demand growth over the next 25 years.

He added that Ontario’s goal is to double medical isotope production by 2030.

Lecce also referenced a small modular reactor planned at the Darlington site, which he described as the first of its kind among G7 countries.

He urged the federal government to support large-scale nuclear development in Ontario, saying such support could lead to more than 10,000 Canadians working and add $235 billion to the Canadian economy. These figures were presented as part of the minister’s case for federal involvement.

The ministry released the statement on Sept. 25. No additional details about the CNSC’s decision process were included in the provincial statement beyond the minister’s description of the approval and its duration.