20 Jul (NucNet): The success of nuclear power plant refurbishment programmes in Canada will allow all of North America’s nuclear industry to draw on Canadian talent and technology as they refurbish their ageing nuclear fleet, the incoming president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has said.
Rumina Velshi told a conference in Ottawa that one of the key opportunities facing the nuclear industry in Canada is to ensure refurbishment projects are delivered safely.
Ontario Power Generation is investing CAD12.8bn ($9.7bn, €8.3bn) in the refurbishment of four nuclear reactors at the Darlington station. Bruce Power will spend CAD13bn to refurbish six of the eight nuclear reactors at the Bruce nuclear station.
The Canadian Nuclear Association said refurbishment will provide clean electrical production for another 25-30 years, supporting increased deployment of renewables and further reducing Canada’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Ms Velshi, who will succeed Michael Binder at the CNSC next month, also said the CNSC has a key role to play in positioning Canada to become a global leader in emerging nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors.
She said: “The CNSC can help drive policy makers, government officials and industry to solutions to address regulatory challenges that will be front and centre for the sector in years to come. I am thinking here, for example, of long-term nuclear waste management.”
Ms Velshi said public trust in the nuclear industry needs to be improved by increasing transparency. “A recurring concern we still hear from many members of the public is that they need more information,” she said.
