Located in the Municipality of Clarington, the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station generates about 20 per cent of Ontario’s electricity. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) completed a major refurbishment project in March 2026 extending the life of the reactors by over 30 years.
Nuclear Generation in Durham
Nuclear Generation in Durham
Durham Region is the Clean Energy Capital of Canada because of its clean energy innovation, environment and engineering sectors.
Nuclear power is important in the response to climate change because it produces electricity safely, reliably, and virtually without carbon emissions — this contributes to the achievement of Durham’s climate change targets.
Darlington Nuclear Generating Station
New Nuclear Development at Darlington
Construction on the first of four proposed small modular reactors (SMRs) is underway next to the existing Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. Once constructed, the four SMR’s are expected to power approximately 1.2 million homes.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has created a webpage to share documents and information on the regulatory approval process and opportunities to participate.
Pickering Nuclear Generating Station
With the support of the Province of Ontario, OPG is planning for the refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Units 5 to 8 (Pickering 'B'). Refurbishing Pickering 'B' will:
- Secure more than 2,100 MW of clean, reliable nuclear power for Ontario for another 30-plus years.
- Power two million homes and businesses across Ontario, safely and reliably.
- Maintain and secure highly skilled jobs.
- Create significant economic impact of more than $19 billion over the refurbishment period in Durham Region and across the province.
Learn more about the future of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
The Port Granby Project is a federal government project for the safe, long-term management of approximately 450,000 cubic metres of historic low-level radioactive waste in the Municipality of Clarington.
New Nuclear at Wesleyville Project
OPG is proposing to construct a new nuclear power plant in the Municipality of Port Hope, Ontario near Clarington. As proposed, the New Nuclear at Wesleyville Project would provide up to 10,000 megawatts of new nuclear generating capacity and operate for 78 years.
Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy
Durham Region has developed a Nuclear Sector Strategy with input from a wide variety of contributors including the community, rights holders, academia, and industry partners.
Empowering the Community: Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy 2022-2032, will equip Durham Region to seize opportunities and take actions to support a prosperous and sustainable community.
Recognizing the importance of the nuclear sector to the Region’s residents, businesses and institutions, the strategy has four goals:
- Grow understanding of the nuclear sector among Regional Council, staff, and the community.
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Build prosperity by maximizing the benefits of being a nuclear host community and Canada’s premier centre of the nuclear industry and innovation.
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Protect and sustain the community by addressing the impacts and opportunities of being a nuclear host community.
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Lead and develop partnerships within the nuclear sector to build leadership capacity and influence decision-making.
Read Durham's Nuclear Sector Strategy 2022-2023 Learn about Nuclear Emergency Preparedness
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