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The Government of Ontario today announced that it has suspended
the competitive RFP to procure two replacement nuclear reactors planned
for the Darlington site. Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy
and Infrastructure George Smitherman indicated that the government
remains committed to the modernization of Ontario's nuclear fleet.
"Emission-free
nuclear power remains a crucial aspect of Ontario's supply mix,"
Smitherman said. "Unfortunately, the competitive bidding process has
not provided Ontario with a suitable option at this time," he added. Proposal
submissions were received from AREVA NP, Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited and Westinghouse Electric Company on February 27, 2009 and
carefully evaluated. Only the submission from AECL was compliant with
the terms of the RFP and the objectives of the Government. However,
concern about pricing and uncertainty regarding the company's future
prevented Ontario from continuing with the procurement at this time.
In
March 2008, Ontario undertook a two phase competitive procurement
process to select a nuclear vendor to build a two unit nuclear power
plant at Darlington. The units are to replace older units as part of a
strategy to renew Ontario's nuclear fleet. Nuclear power accounts
for about 50 percent of Ontario's electricity needs and provides a
reliable, stable and clean supply of base load electricity. For more information: http://www.infrastructureontario.ca.
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