OPG and ČEZ collaborate to try and advance clean nuclear power

Petr Třešňák, Deputy Minister to Minister of Industry and Trade; Tomáš Pleskač, CEZ, Member of the Board of Directors, Chief New Energy Office; Ken Hartwick, OPG President and CEO; Todd Smith, Ontario Minister of Energy; and Ayesha Patricia Rekhi, Canadian Ambassador to Czech Republic (CNW Group/Ontario Power Generation Inc.)

PRAGUE — Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Czech Republic-based ČEZ announce that they will collaborate to advance deployment of nuclear technology, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), to safely produce clean, reliable electricity in their jurisdictions, under a Memorandum of Understanding signed on Oct. 11.

The two entities – Ontario’s largest electricity generator and a European energy company – are committed to achieving net zero by 2040.

Under the MOU, OPG and ČEZ will share information related to the deployment of new nuclear projects. The aim is to reduce financial, technical and schedule risk to both parties on their respective future projects.

New nuclear generation, including SMRs, is an essential part of the electricity mix needed to decarbonize the energy sector and broader economy.

OPG is deploying an SMR at its Darlington site, the only location in Canada licensed for new nuclear construction with an approved Environmental Assessment. The company recently announced a contract with ES Fox to proceed with early site work, pending permits and regulatory approvals. The Darlington SMR is expected to be operational by the end of this decade.

In Europe, ČEZ has taken first steps toward expanding its nuclear fleets at Temelin and Dukovany.

“Ontario Power Generation is a world-class nuclear operator, with decades of experience in providing safe, clean, reliable nuclear power,” said OPG President and CEO Ken Hartwick. “Working together with entities like ČEZ, we can leverage our combined experience to develop and build the new technology needed to power the future and meet decarbonization goals.”