Nuclear fuel waste projections in Canada – 2023 update

This report summarizes the existing inventory of used nuclear fuel wastes in Canada as of June 30, 2023 and forecasts the potential future nuclear fuel waste from the existing reactor fleet as well as from proposed new-build reactors. While the report focuses on power reactors, it also includes prototype, demonstration and research reactor fuel wastes held by AECL, which are included in the NWMO mandate. As of June 30, 2023, a total of approximately 3.3 million used CANDU fuel bundles (about 62,830 tonnes of heavy metal (t-HM)) were in storage at the reactor sites, an increase of about 76,691 bundles since the 2022 NWMO Nuclear Fuel Waste Projections report. For the existing reactor fleet, the total projected number of used fuel bundles produced to end of life of the reactors is approximately 5.6 million used CANDU fuel bundles (approximately 106,900 t-HM). The projection is based on published plans, as of December 2023 to refurbish and extend the life of all Darlington and Bruce reactors, as well as continued operation of Pickering A until 2024 and Pickering B until the end of 2026. Used fuel produced by potential new-build reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs) will depend on the size and type of reactor and number of units deployed. New-build plans are at various stages of development. Decisions on future reactor refurbishment, new nuclear build or advanced fuel cycle technologies will be made by the nuclear utilities in Canada. The impacts of these decisions on projected inventory of nuclear fuel waste are discussed and will be incorporated into future updates of this report when there is reasonable certainty in the amount and timing of the additional nuclear fuel waste. (author)