AtkinsRéalis sub wins US$327mn SMR contract in Canada

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

Construction Briefing previously reported on the start of site work for the BWRX-300 reactor at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, east of Toronto. The new contract formalises Candu’s expanded role in delivering the 300MW unit, which is expected to begin operations in 2030.

Under the deal, Candu Energy will provide project management, licensing, engineering, design, procurement, construction support, and commissioning services. The company had already been involved in the project’s alliance phase alongside GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners.

“This reaffirms our leading position in the global nuclear energy market,” said Ian L. Edwards, president and CEO of AtkinsRéalis, who called the project Canada’s first new nuclear build in nearly 30 years.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission granted a construction licence in April, and the Ontario government gave final approval earlier this month. The province says power demand is expected to rise by 75% by 2050, and that both large and small nuclear technologies will be needed to meet future grid needs.

Samsung C&T signs deal to develop Estonia’s first small modular nuclear reactor South Korea’s Samsung Construction & Trading Corporation (C&T) has signed a deal with an Estonian energy company to develop a small modular reactor (SMR) that could become operational as early as 2035.