Construction has begun on the first of four small nuclear reactors (SMR) in Ontario, Canada. Estimated to cost US$4.38 billion, the reactor is located on a nuclear site in Clarington, Ontario and is part of the larger, US$15 billion Darlington New Nuclear Project. Furthermore, the small modular reactor, BWRX-300 is expected to generate enough clean electricity to over 300,000 homes. Commercially available uranium will be used on site to generate the energy. This plant is the first in the G7 to be deployed at the site. Ontario Power Generation expects that the project will reach commercial operation by 2030.
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Site preparation for the Darlington New Nuclear project began in December 2022. The licence to construct the unit was awarded by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in April of this year. Over 80 companies in the province have signed agreements with Ontario Power Generation to deliver this project. In addition, Kiewit Nuclear Canada and Aecon have signed a US$1.3 billion alliance construction contract for the execution phase of the nuclear project. Further, the partnership will be working with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and AtkinsRéalis to deliver the Darlington New Nuclear Project.
Project Overview
Location: Clarington, Ontario
Project cost: US$15 billion
Nuclear reactor model: BWRX-300
Commercial operation date: 2030
Developers: Kiewit Nuclear Canada, Aecon, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, AtkinsRéalis
Benefits of the SMR Darlington New Nuclear Ontario Project
In addition to the 300,000 homes supplied with energy from the project, Canadian’s will benefit from 18,000 jobs created directly and indirectly through the project. Additionally, $500 million is expected to be injected into the economy annually thanks to this project. In total, CAD$38.5 billion will be added to the country’s GDP over the next 6 years during the construction, operation and maintenance of the Darlington New Nuclear Project. Compared with other non-emitting generation alternatives, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has identified the Darlington New Nuclear Project as the most cost-effective and least risky option, for meeting the growing electricity demand, which is set to increase by 75% by 2050.
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