CANDU: Canada's Nuclear Energy Source
Proven Technology
The Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR) technology, currently in the pre-licensing process, builds on the CANDU 6 experience to deliver improved safety margins, lower capital and operating costs, improved maintenance and excellent operating performance with high availability, long life, and fast construction. It will allow Ontario to be a world export leader in nuclear energy.
The ACR-1000® is an evolutionary, Generation III+, 1200 megawatt electrical (MWe) class pressure tube reactor. It is designed to meet industry and public expectations for safe, reliable, environmentally-friendly, and low-cost nuclear generation. The ACR-1000 is planned for a 2016 in-service date, and is currently undergoing a pre-licensing review in Canada.
The Generation III+ ACR-1000 is aimed to meet more demanding requirements than existing CANDU nuclear power plants, particularly in regard to:
- Enhanced passive safety
- Competitive economics
- Operability and maintainability
With a 60-year design life, the ACR-1000 reactor core consists of fuel and light-water coolant in pressure tubes with a heavy water moderator. Evolved from the well-established CANDU line, the ACR-1000 benefits from valuable project-based experience in the design, construction and operation of CANDU plants for utilities around the globe. The ACR-1000 incorporates and retains the proven CANDU strengths.