AECL comments on Ontario’s decision to suspend nuclear procurement process

Tuesday, Jun 30, 2009

In response to an announcement made earlier today by the Government of Ontario to suspend the nuclear procurement process Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) issued the following statement.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is pleased that the Government of Ontario has determined that AECL’s bid proposal was more responsive to the bid guidelines and to the needs of the customer than our competition.

AECL’s President and CEO Hugh MacDiarmid said, “We are very pleased that our bid proposal was determined to be the best among the group of world-class vendors who participated in the process. This is a true testament to the strength, hard work and dedication of our employees and suppliers in developing the new ACR-1000 CANDU nuclear reactor design.”

In announcing the restructuring of AECL on May 28th, the Government of Canada expressed its support for AECL, and the Canadian nuclear industry, as they pursue opportunities in domestic and international markets in this time of global nuclear expansion.

MacDiarmid added, “We look forward to the next phase of the process beginning at the earliest possible time, and we will work diligently to negotiate a contract that supports Ontario’s clean air electricity needs on a competitive basis. Building CANDU in Ontario will keep thousands of engineers and scientists in Ontario, give our skilled trades people a future, support and grow one of our most innovative, research-based energy industries and deliver the best jobs and socio-economic benefits to the province.”

About the ACR-1000

The ACR-1000 is AECL’s evolutionary, Gen III+, 1200 MWe-class pressure tube CANDU^® reactor. It is a light water cooled, heavy water moderated pressure tube reactor derived from the well-established CANDU line. The ACR-1000 retains the well-proven features of the CANDU plant design such as a modular, horizontal fuel channel core, a low-temperature heavy water moderator, water-filled vault, two independent diverse shutdown systems, on-power fuelling, simple fuel design and reactor building accessibility for on-power maintenance.

About AECL

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a full-service nuclear technology company providing services to nuclear utilities around the world. Established in 1952, AECL is the designer and builder of CANDU technology, including the CANDU 6, one of the world's top performing reactors and the new ACR-1000. AECL's 5,000 employees deliver cutting edge nuclear services, R&D support, design and engineering, construction management, specialized technology, refurbishment, waste management and decommissioning in support of CANDU reactor products.

Source: AECL