Preliminary Nuclear Decommissioning Cost Study

Abstract

The term decommissioning applies to the actions involved in taking a nuclear station/reactor permanently out of service and placing and maintaining it in a safe mode.

This Preliminary Nuclear Decommissioning Cost Study addresses the technical and cost aspects of decommissioning Ontario Hydro's CANDU, multi-unit, nuclear stations.

This preliminary study concentrates on the logistical, technical and cost aspects of decommissioning a multi-unit CANDU generating station using Pickering GS A as the reference design. Pickering GS A is located on the shore of Lake Ontario, 32 km northeast of downtown Toronto. The station consists of four reactors, each reactor having a gross thermal power of 1744 MW. The reactors are heavy water moderated and cooled.

It has been found that with the exception of reactor core dismantlement, which will be done remotely, the dismantlement of all other systems and buildings can be accomplished using Ontario Hydro's current operating, maintenance and construction procedures and practices.