<P> In 1952 , the Canadian government formed Atomic Energy of Canada Limited ( AECL ) , a Crown corporation with the mandate to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy . A partnership was formed between AECL , Ontario Hydro and Canadian General Electric to build Canada 's first nuclear power plant , Nuclear Power Demonstration ( NPD ) . The 20 MW NPD started operation in June 1962 and demonstrated the unique concepts of on - power refueling using natural uranium fuel , and heavy water moderator and coolant . These features formed the basis of a fleet of CANDU power reactors ( CANDU is an acronym for CANada Deuterium Uranium ) built and operated in Canada and elsewhere . Starting in 1961 , AECL led the construction of 24 commercial CANDU reactors in Ontario , Quebec , and New Brunswick . </P>
<P> In 1952 , the Canadian government formed Atomic Energy of Canada Limited ( AECL ) , a Crown corporation with the mandate to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy . A partnership was formed between AECL , Ontario Hydro and Canadian General Electric to build Canada 's first nuclear power plant , Nuclear Power Demonstration ( NPD ) . The 20 MW NPD started operation in June 1962 and demonstrated the unique concepts of on - power refueling using natural uranium fuel , and heavy water moderator and coolant . These features formed the basis of a fleet of CANDU power reactors ( CANDU is an acronym for CANada Deuterium Uranium ) built and operated in Canada and elsewhere . Starting in 1961 , AECL led the construction of 24 commercial CANDU reactors in Ontario , Quebec , and New Brunswick . </P>
when was the first nuclear power plant built in canada
when was the first nuclear power plant built in canada
1962
1962