Ontario Commences Construction of First Small Modular Reactor, Aiming for Global Leadership in Nuclear Technology
Clarington, Ontario – Ontario has officially begun construction on the first of four new Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) at the Darlington nuclear power plant site, signaling Canada’s ambition to become a leader in next-generation nuclear technology among the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations. The announcement was made on Thursday by Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce, who was present at the site where workers had already started excavating the land for the initial reactor and preparing the grounds for the subsequent units.
“We are protecting Ontario by building the most resilient energy future any country has ever seen,” declared Minister Lecce. “We are taking our true place as a global clean energy superpower and a leader in nuclear innovation and technology.”
This move comes as numerous countries are accelerating their efforts to license and construct a new wave of nuclear reactors to meet the escalating demand for electricity while ensuring a carbon-free supply. Minister Lecce stated that Canada’s first commercial SMR is projected to be connected to the electrical grid by the end of 2030. This timeline, according to Lecce, positions Canada ahead of other G7 nations such as France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States in deploying this advanced nuclear technology.
In comparison, in the U.S., Bill Gates’ energy venture is preparing a site in Wyoming for a next-generation nuclear power plant, while the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently reviewing its application for a construction permit. Additionally, Kairos Power is in the process of building a low-power demonstration reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Currently, Russia and China are the only countries already operating advanced reactors.
The decision to invest in SMRs is driven by the anticipated surge in electricity demand in Ontario, which is expected to increase by 75% by 2050. This rise is primarily attributed to the growing needs of industry and large data centers. Ontario Power Generation has selected a boiling water reactor design from GE Vernova for the Darlington New Nuclear Project, located in Clarington, Ontario.
Upon completion, each SMR will have the capacity to power approximately 300,000 homes in Toronto. Notably, these reactors are about 10% of the size and complexity of traditional boiling water reactors, according to GE Vernova. The cost for the first reactor is estimated at $6.1 billion, with an additional $1.6 billion allocated for shared systems and services across all four units, as announced by Minister Lecce.
Historically, Canada has been a net exporter of electricity, primarily through significant hydropower exports to the United States. However, recent shifts, including drought conditions affecting hydropower availability and lower natural gas prices in the U.S., have led to a more balanced electricity trade between the two countries. Amidst ongoing trade dynamics and comments from the U.S. administration suggesting closer integration, the Ontario government emphasizes the importance of developing new, clean energy sources for Canada’s future. Ontario’s Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy alluded to this, stating that the traditional relationship with the United States is evolving, necessitating Canada’s focus on securing its own clean energy future.
