Insider Brief
- Canada’s nuclear regulator has granted Ontario Power Generation (OPG) a license to construct a General Electric Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site in Clarington, Ontario.
- The licence is valid through March 2035 and includes four facility-specific conditions designed to ensure regulatory oversight and public safety throughout the construction process.
- The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission concluded that OPG is qualified to build the reactor safely and upheld its duty to consult Indigenous communities, following extensive public hearings held in late 2024 and early 2025.
License Conditions Ensure Safety and Regulatory Oversight
PRESS RELEASE – The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to issue a power reactor construction license to Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) to construct 1 General Electric Hitachi BWRX-300 reactor at its Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP) site in Clarington, Ontario. The power reactor construction license is valid until March 31, 2035. The license includes 4 facility-specific license conditions that, along with the standard license conditions, will enable effective regulatory oversight of the licensed activities.
Indigenous Consultation and Public Hearings Shape Decision
The Commission concluded that OPG is qualified to construct the reactor and will do so in a way that protects the health and safety of people and the environment. In making its decision, the Commission carefully considered all submissions and perspectives received during a 2-part public hearing held virtually on October 2, 2024, and in person in Ajax, Ontario on January 8 to 10, 13 and 14, 2025.
The Commission further concluded that it had fulfilled its constitutional responsibility to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate Indigenous rights in respect of its decision on this matter. As a lifecycle regulator, the CNSC focuses on continuous engagement and consultation with Indigenous Nations and groups before, during and after Commission proceedings in respect of licensed activities.
CNSC Confirms OPG’s Ability to Build Safely
The record of decision, which contains the Commission’s rationale for its decision, is available upon request from the Commission Registry by contacting [email protected]. Once available in both official languages, the record of decision will be published on the CNSC website.
Additional information about the decision may be found in the backgrounder document. The submissions considered by the Commission during the hearing are available on the CNSC website.
