Phase 1 of Enhanced CANDU 6 complete

Enhanced CANDU 6 (EC6) earns CNSC Phase 1 Pre-Project Design Review acceptance, meeting Canadian regulatory requirements; a Generation III reactor using natural uranium, heavy water, and pressure tubes with on-power refueling, supporting licensing in Canada.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission CNSC has completed Phase 1 of a PreProject Design Review of Atomic Energy of Canada Limiteds AECL Enhanced CANDU 6 reactor EC6.

The conclusion is that, at an overall level, the design intent is compliant with the CNSC regulatory requirements and meets the expectations for new nuclear power plants in Canada.

The CNSC has determined in this Phase 1 stage of their review that the CANDU 6R design can be demonstrated to meet the latest Canadian requirements, says AECL President and CEO Hugh MacDiarmid. So, the EC6 benefits not only from the proven track record of CANDU 6, but also from this successful review against Canadas regulatory requirements.

The objective of a Pre-Project Design Review is to verify, at a high level, the acceptability of a nuclear power plant design with respect to Canadian regulatory requirements and expectations.

This conclusion will be further confirmed during a Phase 2 review when outstanding information for specific technical items for each review topic will be provided to the CNSC. The CNSC staff anticipate that these items can be brought to closure during a Phase 2 review.

The current CANDU 6 design is a proven and highly successful technology, with 11 units licensed and operating in five countries, including CANDU in China projects, says MacDiarmid. We have been very careful to build on these aspects in the EC6, while enhancing safety and licensability to meet the latest Canadian and international expectations for a new plant.

Phase 2 of the PreProject Design Review will determine whether there are any potential fundamental barriers to licensing the design in Canada, and is expected to be completed early in 2012.

The Enhanced CANDU 6 EC6 is a 700MW Class Generation III reactor based on the highly successful CANDU 6 reactor with a number of safety enhancements to meet the latest Canadian and international standards. It uses natural uranium fuel, heavywater moderator and heavywater coolant in a pressure tube design. It can be refueled on power and has one of the highest lifetime capacity factors among the worlds reactors. It is ideal for small and medium electric grids, and benefits from the CANDU 6 experience of proven design, construction and operation.

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