Ameer Randolph
Canada has been using nuclear energy as a reliable, low-carbon power source for homes and businesses for over half a century. As of 2024, Canada's inventory of used nuclear fuel bundles is about 3.3 million, with projections reaching 5.9 million by the end of the planned operation of the country's existing nuclear reactors. Canada's nuclear industry is committed to the safe, long-term management of this waste, including the investigation of Deep Geological Repositories (DGRs) and advancements in Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of used nuclear fuel bundles | 3.3 million (as of 2024) |
| Projected number of used fuel bundles | 5.9 million |
| Number of bundles at the end of the planned life of the current reactors fleet | 5.5 million |
| Weight of each bundle | 24 kilograms |
| Waste management | Canada's nuclear operators are responsible for managing their own waste |
| Storage | Stored at reactor sites in fuel pools (58%) or dry cask storage (42%) |
| Long-term storage | Deep geological repository (DGR) in a suitable rock formation |
| DGR site investigations | Ongoing for 2 adjacent locations near Bruce Nuclear Power Plant and 1 in Ignace, northwestern Ontario (as of March 2019) |
| Spent nuclear fuel repository site | Revell Batholith, located about 35 kilometres west of Ignace |
| Start of construction | Expected in the mid-2030s |
| Operational date | Early 2040s |
| Inventory reports | Published annually by the NWMO |
| Storage location | Existing reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, and a laboratory in Manitoba |
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What You'll Learn
- Canada's used nuclear fuel is stored at reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick
- Nuclear waste is stored in fuel pools or dry cask storage
- Canada's nuclear industry is evolving, with new reactors and refurbishment
- Canada's used nuclear fuel is a solid, sealed in a container and bound in a bundle
- Canada's nuclear waste management is led by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)
Canada's used nuclear fuel is stored at reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick
Canada has been using nuclear energy as a reliable, low-carbon power source for over half a century. Nuclear power reactors in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick generate electricity from nuclear power. As of 2024, Canada's existing inventory is about 3.3 million used nuclear fuel bundles, weighing roughly 24 kilograms each. This fuel is safely stored at existing reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, as well as at a laboratory in Manitoba.
The used nuclear fuel is a byproduct of the electricity generation process and must be safely managed long-term. When removed from a nuclear reactor, the fuel is sealed in a specially designed container, bound in a "bundle," and submerged in a water-filled pool to cool for 5 to 10 years. After this cooling period, the bundles are placed in dry storage containers, silos, or vaults, where they are actively monitored.
Canada's nuclear industry is constantly evolving, with ongoing discussions about building new reactors and the potential for small modular reactors. These developments will generate additional used nuclear fuel, and the country is exploring options for additional storage capacity. The NWMO (Nuclear Waste Management Organization) is responsible for long-term spent fuel management and has selected a site for a spent nuclear fuel repository in Ignace, Ontario, with construction expected to begin in the mid-2030s.
The safe storage of used nuclear fuel is a priority for Canada, with ongoing maintenance and inspections to ensure the containers' longevity. The country's plan involves containing and isolating used nuclear fuel in a deep geological repository to manage the waste for generations to come.
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Nuclear waste is stored in fuel pools or dry cask storage
As of 2024, Canada has an inventory of about 3.3 million used nuclear fuel bundles, which are safely stored at existing reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, as well as at a laboratory in Manitoba. Canada's nuclear fuel waste management program involves storing spent fuel at reactor sites in fuel pools or dry cask storage.
Fuel pools are typically steel-lined concrete pools surrounded by water, and they serve as the initial storage for spent nuclear fuel. The water provides cooling for the highly radioactive fuel bundles, allowing their heat and radioactivity to decrease over time. After being cooled in a fuel pool for at least a year, and often up to ten years, the spent fuel can then be transferred to dry cask storage.
Dry cask storage is a method for storing high-level radioactive waste, such as spent nuclear fuel. The fuel rods are placed inside steel cylinders, which are then welded or bolted closed. These steel cylinders are designed to provide leak-tight containment of the spent fuel. To ensure radiation shielding for workers and the public, each cylinder is surrounded by additional materials, such as steel, concrete, or other protective materials.
The casks used for dry storage are designed to be robust and resistant to various extreme scenarios, including floods, tornadoes, projectiles, and temperature extremes. This ensures the safe and secure storage of the spent nuclear fuel. The dry cask storage system designs vary, with some orienting the steel cylinders vertically in concrete vaults, while others place them horizontally.
Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel involves containing and isolating it in a deep geological repository. The NWMO has selected the Revell Batholith, an intrusive rock formation, as the site for this repository, which is expected to become operational in the early 2040s.
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Canada's nuclear industry is evolving, with new reactors and refurbishment
Canada's nuclear industry is evolving, with refurbishment projects, new reactors, and the ongoing management of spent nuclear fuel.
As of 2024, Canada's inventory of used nuclear fuel bundles is about 3.3 million, with a projection of 5.9 million bundles at the end of the planned operation of the country's existing nuclear reactors. The safe, long-term management of this fuel is a priority, and Canada has implemented a plan to contain and isolate it in a deep geological repository. Currently, spent fuel is stored at reactor sites in fuel pools or dry cask storage. Canada's nuclear power plants have produced 2.9 million spent fuel bundles, or around 52,000 tonnes of high-level waste, the second-largest amount globally after the US.
The nuclear sector in Canada is experiencing unprecedented growth and strategic development, with multiple reactors undergoing or preparing for refurbishment. This includes the restart of Bruce unit 6 in August 2023, the refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear Power Station, and the addition of 4.8 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity through the Bruce C Project. Canada's existing fleet of 19 large reactors generates over 15% of the country's electricity, and the country is committed to carbon neutrality by 2050.
In addition to refurbishment projects, Canada is also pursuing new reactor opportunities. The government has entered into a preliminary agreement to support the development of a new large-scale, natural uranium-fuelled CANDU reactor. The Darlington New Nuclear Project, a small modular reactor (SMR) initiative, is expected to create approximately 17,000 jobs in Ontario and 10,000 more across Canada. Two advanced Generation 4 SMRs are progressing through regulatory approvals, and a Micro Modular Reactor is being considered for deployment in remote locations.
Canada's nuclear industry is committed to clean, reliable, and affordable power, with CANDU reactors providing good-paying, sustainable jobs in manufacturing. As the demand for secure sources of clean energy increases, Canada's nuclear sector is well-positioned to meet the world's energy needs.
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![Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste Management : message from the President of the United States transmitting the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Canada's used nuclear fuel is a solid, sealed in a container and bound in a bundle
Canada has been using nuclear energy as a reliable, low-carbon power source for over half a century. Nuclear power reactors in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick have been generating electricity from nuclear power for decades. As a result, Canada has accumulated about 3.3 million used nuclear fuel bundles as of 2024. This number could reach 5.9 million bundles by the end of the planned operation of the country's existing nuclear reactors.
Canada's used nuclear fuel is not a liquid or a gas; it is a stable solid. Specifically, it is a ceramic that is sealed into a specially designed container and then bound in a "bundle." Each bundle weighs approximately 24 kilograms and is roughly the size and shape of a fireplace log. When removed from a nuclear reactor, the bundle remains highly radioactive and will remain so for a long time.
To address this challenge, Canada has developed a plan for the safe, long-term management of its used nuclear fuel. This plan involves containing and isolating the used fuel in a deep geological repository, such as the one selected by the NWMO in 2024, located about 35 kilometres west of Ignace in an area known as the Revell Batholith. Construction on this repository is expected to begin in the mid-2030s and become operational in the early 2040s.
In the meantime, Canada's used nuclear fuel bundles are stored at existing reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, as well as at a laboratory in Manitoba. When removed from a reactor, the bundles are initially placed in a water-filled pool to reduce their heat and radioactivity. After seven to ten years, the bundles are transferred to dry storage containers, silos, or vaults, which are designed to last at least 50 years and can be safely used for much longer with ongoing maintenance and inspections.
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Canada's nuclear waste management is led by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)
Canada has been using nuclear energy as a power source for over half a century, and the country's nuclear industry continues to evolve. As of 2024, Canada's existing inventory of used nuclear fuel bundles is about 3.3 million, and this number could reach 5.9 million by the end of the planned operation of the country's existing nuclear reactors. The used nuclear fuel is currently safely stored in licensed facilities at reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, as well as at a laboratory in Manitoba.
The NWMO's plan for managing this waste involves containing and isolating it in a deep geological repository, known as Adaptive Phased Management (APM). This repository will be located in an area with suitable geology and informed and willing host communities. In 2024, the NWMO selected the Revell Batholith, an intrusive rock formation near Ignace, Ontario, as the site for the repository. Construction is expected to begin in the mid-2030s and become operational in the early 2040s.
The NWMO is also working on the development of a transportation system to move the used fuel from its current storage facilities to the new repository site. The organization has issued calls for communities across Canada to express their interest in hosting a waste management site, and several communities have submitted formal submissions. The NWMO is committed to working with local communities and prioritizing safety in all its operations.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, Canada has about 3.3 million used nuclear fuel bundles, which could fit into about nine NHL hockey rinks when stacked.
Spent nuclear fuel is stored at reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, as well as at a laboratory in Manitoba.
Spent nuclear fuel is stored in fuel pools (58%) or dry cask storage (42%) when it is cool enough. Fuel bundles are placed in water-filled pools to reduce their heat and radioactivity.
Canada has a plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel, which involves containing and isolating it in a deep geological repository. The NWMO has selected the Revell Batholith as the site for this repository, with construction expected to begin in the mid-2030s.
The NWMO is responsible for the long-term management of Canada's spent nuclear fuel and has recommended Adaptive Phased Management (APM) for this purpose. The NWMO also publishes annual inventory reports on used nuclear fuel in Canada.
