Westinghouse opens Toronto office, looks to build two Ontario reactors
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Preparing plans for potential building of two AP1000 nuclear reactors at Darlington nuclear site
Pittsburgh—Westinghouse Electric is opening a Toronto office as it vies for an Ontario Power Generation (OPG) contract to build two nuclear reactors in the province.
The American firm is preparing construction plans, schedules and cost estimates for the potential building of two of its AP1000 nuclear reactors at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in Clarington, Ont., approximately 70-kilometres east of Toronto.
According to OPG, the Darlington plant generates close to 20 per cent of Ontario’s electricity at 3,512 megawatts (MW), enough to power a city of approximately two-million people.
About half of the world’s 440 nuclear plants are based on Westinghouse technology, according to the company.
The AP1000 is a pressurized water rector (PWR).
According to Westinghouse, the establishment of a Toronto office will help the company better serve existing customers, strengthen ties with suppliers and better-align Westinghouse with Canadian regulations and requirements.
“The formation of a Canadian entity earlier this year was consistent with our strategy to increase business in the country,” Westinghouse Americas president Joe Zwetolitz said. “With the opening of the Westinghouse Canada office in Toronto, we now have become more a part of Canada’s viable nuclear energy industry.”
According to Westinghouse, approximately 100 Canadian suppliers provide products and services to the company’s line of fuel services, automation and nuclear power plants.
The company also said that, if selected, “a large percentage” of the scope of AP1000 construction would be sourced from Ontario and other regions in Canada.
