Decommissioning of NPD generating station

The Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) generating station at Rolphton, Ontario began operating in 1962. It was intended to demonstrate the practicability of producing electricity with the CANDU reactor design. A pressure tube removed in 1987 showed hydrogen concentrations high enough to cause concern for the mechanical properties of the other tubes. When it was found that the problem was widespread, it was decided to shut the reactor down. The decommissioning of NPD is to be carried out in three stages: final operation - the removal of all fuel and heavy water and shutting down all systems; static state - a period of about 50 years of radioactive decay when the site will be unstaffed by monitored remotely; and ultimate disposal, when either all radioactive material will be removed to a permanent repository or the existing structure will be filled with concrete, sand or other material. The final operation stage is expected to be complete by September 1, 1988