OCI Supports Ontario Government Approval of Darlington Refurbishment Project

PICKERING, ON, Jan. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI) strongly supports today's announcement by Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli that the Ontario Government has approved Ontario Power Generation's plan to refurbish and extend the operating lives of the four CANDU nuclear units at the Darlington.

"This great news for the environment, for Ontario rate payers and large industrial power users, and for the many small and medium sized enterprises (SME's) that comprise much of Ontario's nuclear supply chain," said OCI President and CEO Dr. Ron Oberth. "This multi-year project will create thousands of quality and sustainable jobs in private sector SME's located in communities across Ontario – from Pembroke to Peterborough to Coburg and on to Oakville, Burlington, Cambridge and Niagara." "Our companies will work collaboratively with the OPG in delivering high quality equipment and services to support the on time and on budget refurbishment of the four Darlington reactors" add Ron.

The project will secure 3400 megawatts of clean, reliable, low cost electricity from the Darlington site over the next 40 years and will ensure that Ontario continues to be one of the lowest GHG emitting electricity jurisdictions in the world.

OCI is also appreciates that over 90% of total project spending will be on Ontario goods and services providing  a welcome boost to Ontario's manufacturing and service sectors while ensuring the long term  affordability and reliability of our electricity system.

The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI) is an association of more than 190 suppliers to the nuclear industry. OCI companies employ more than 12,000 nuclear specialists who design reactors, manufacture major equipment and components, and provide engineering services and support to CANDU nuclear power plants in Canada as well as to CANDU and Light Water Reactor (LWR) plants in offshore markets.

SOURCE Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI)

Dr. Ron Oberth, President and CEO, 905 839-0073 or 647 407 6081, [email protected]; Ms. Marina Oeyangen, Manager Member Services and Communications, 905 839-0073 or 905 706 5958, [email protected]