Canada starts its first SMR with US$15 billion project

Render of a small nuclear power plant set for construction in Ontario, Canada. Image courtesy Ontario Power Generation

The first unit alone is expected to cost about $5.5 billion, with an additional $1.1 billion for shared systems and infrastructure. Subsequent reactors are projected to come in at lower costs due to economies of scale and site efficiencies.

The Darlington New Nuclear Project is based on the BWRX-300 design from GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy – a joint venture between GE Vernova and Japan-based Hitachi. The compact, passively cooled boiling water reactor is rated at 300MW. At full output, the Darlington plant is expected to supply electricity to about 300,000 homes, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Energy and Mines.

The current construction phase is limited to site grading, excavation, utilities, and construction of support buildings.

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Delivered under a six-year alliance agreement involving OPG, the project includes reactor designer GE Hitachi Nuclear (US-Japan), construction lead JV Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners (Canada), and engineering and project management partner AtkinsRéalis (Canada; formerly SNC-Lavalin). Canada-based E.S. Fox Limited has also been awarded an early site works contract.

Darlington remains the only site in Canada with a licence for new nuclear construction. The SMR installation is expected to serve as a reference model for future deployments across Canada and internationally.

Ontario’s electricity demand is projected to increase by 75% by 2050, driven by industrial growth and electrification efforts. The SMR project aims to address this demand while contributing to the province’s clean energy goals.

All four units are scheduled to be completed by the mid-2030s, with the first reactor entering service by the end of 2029.

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