1987, long after vastly more powerful and modern CANDU units came on-line. The first nuclear-produced power in Canada was generated at NPD, which also served as the "proof of concept" prototype for the later CANDU designs. As with all commercial CANDU units to follow, NPD operated with natural uranium fuel in a horizontal pressure-tube core, was both moderated and cooled by heavy water, and was refuellable on-load. NPD closed in 1987 after exceeding its operational goals. As of 2006, all nuclear fuel and non-nuclear equipment have been removed from the site, while much of the nuclear equipment (reactor vessel, pipes, tanks etc. that have become radioactive in the process of operation of the reactor) is still present. AECL intends to leave potentially active or contaminated equipment on site for some decades yet to allow for further radioactive decay. The site was commemorated by a historical plaque detailing the operational history and highlights of the station. However, for reasons of security and public safety, the plaque is set three kilometres west of the site at a highway lookout, and the site itself cannot be seen from the plaque's location. Another bronze plaque and monument commemorating NPD, formerly located on the NPD site, was relocated to the Schoolhouse Museum about three kilometers to the east of the site. The Schoolhouse Museum also includes a scale model of the plant and other historical artefacts. NPD was followed by the 200 MWe Douglas Point Nuclear Generating Station on the shore of Lake Huron. See also List of Canadian nuclear generating stations Nuclear Power Similar "firsts" in other countries: Experimental Breeder Reactor I, US 200 KWe plant (1951) Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, first Soviet pilot plant, 5 MWe (1954) Calder Hall Nuclear Power Station, first UK plant to generate electricity (1956) Shippingport Atomic Power Station, first "full scale" US demonstration plant, 60 MWe (1957) References Canadian Nuclear Society page on NPD CBC archives material "What was Canada's first nuclear power plant?" (Canadian Nuclear FAQ) External links Ontario Power Generation Atomic Energy of Canada Limited Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Canadian Nuclear Society Canadian Nuclear Association Society for the Preservation of Canada's Nuclear Heritage, Inc. Nuclear research reactors Ontario Hydro Nuclear technology in Canada Nuclear power stations in Ontario Atomic Energy of Canada Limited