Darlington Nuclear Generating Station
Source: Ontario Power Generation
Current status: Nuclear facility
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) owns and is licensed to operate the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (Darlington NGS). The station is in the municipality of Clarington, on the north shore of Lake Ontario.
OPG has a 10-year operating licence for the Darlington NGS, which expires on November 30, 2025. OPG also operates a nuclear waste- management facility at the station through a waste-facility operating licence.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has full-time staff at the Darlington NGS. They conduct inspections to evaluate operations and to verify regulatory requirements and licence conditions are followed.
Facility information
| Location | Municipality of Clarington, Ontario |
|---|---|
| Licensee | Ontario Power Generation |
| Reactor type | CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) |
| Number of units | 4 reactors |
| Installed capacity | 3,512 MW |
| Status |
Units 1, 2, and 3: Operating (refurbished) |
| Licence issued | January 1, 2016 |
| Licence expires | November 30, 2025 |
| Start of operation | Between 1990 and 1993 |
| Licensing documentation | Request a copy of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station licence and/or licence conditions handbook by email at cnsc.info.ccsn@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca |
| Facility website | Ontario Power Generation |
Related news
Commission proceedings
The Commission is an independent administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government. It does not have ties to the nuclear industry. Use the following links to find documents related to Commission meetings or hearings:
- August 28, 2025: First regulatory hold point lifted for Darlington Nuclear Generating Station Unit 4
- November 14, 2024: Fourth regulatory hold point lifted for Darlington Nuclear Generating Station Unit 1
- October 10, 2024: Third regulatory hold point lifted for Darlington Nuclear Generating Station Unit 1
- September 12, 2024: Second regulatory hold point lifted for Darlington Nuclear Generating Station Unit 1
- April 29, 2024: First Regulatory hold point lifted for Darlington Nuclear Generating Station Unit 1
- July 8, 2023: Fourth regulatory hold point lifted for Darlington Nuclear Generating Station Unit 3
Regulatory actions
The CNSC posts regulatory enforcement actions taken to protect the environment and the health, safety and security of all people in Canada. Use the following links to find out more about any orders or penalties that have been issued to this licensee:
- June 13, 2024: Letter to OPG
- May 31, 2023: Administrative monetary penalty issued
- July 13, 2021: Letter to OPG
Disclosure
Licensees must report to the CNSC all events and incidents involving licensed activities that could impact the environment or the health, safety and security of people in Canada. Use the following links to find public disclosures made by this or any other licensee:
- Event reports (Source: Ontario Power Generation)
- Disclosure protocol (Source: Ontario Power Generation)
Engagement
The CNSC recognizes the importance of engaging and building relationships with the public living near existing or proposed nuclear facilities and with other interested parties.
- September 16–18, 2022: CNSC participated in Community Outreach at the Port Hope Fair
- September 23–24, 2022: CNSC participated in OPG Community Open House at the Darlington Energy Complex
- October 12, 2022: CNSC participated in engagement meetings with Hiawatha First Nation Leadership
- October 13, 2022: CNSC participated in engagement meetings with Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Leadership
- October 14, 2022: CNSC participated in engagement meetings with Curve Lake First Nation Leadership
Public information and disclosure program
CNSC regulations ensure that licensees communicate information effectively about activities at licensed facilities that are of interest to the public.
Protecting the environment and all people in Canada
Environment
The CNSC uses information provided by licensees to create its own reports assessing the environmental effects of nuclear facilities or licensed activities:
- Environmental monitoring: See the independent environmental monitoring results collected by the CNSC
- Environmental risk assessment: Email cnsc.info.ccsn@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca to request a copy
- Federal, provincial and municipal monitoring programs: See the list of monitoring programs managed by other levels of government
- Radionuclide releases: View the Nuclear Power Plants dataset in Canada’s Open Government catalogue for information on releases from this facility
Health and safety
The CNSC oversees licensee emergency planning and works with other levels of government to ensure the health and safety of all people in Canada. The CNSC also conducts and reviews various health studies related to the production, possession or use of nuclear substances.
- Emergency Management Ontario
- OPG nuclear safety and emergency preparedness
- CNSC health studies on Canadian nuclear facilities: Consult relevant health studies on nuclear reactors regulated by the CNSC
Related links
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