Canada’s nuclear ambitions hit a new milestone with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy announcing a $70 million investment to build the world’s first BWRX‑300 small modular reactor (SMR) engineering and service centre near the Darlington SMR site in Durham Region. The approval from the Ontario government supports the deployment of the first of four planned 300 MW BWRX‑300 reactors at Darlington, making it the leading G7 jurisdiction for grid-scale SMR projects.
The centre, expected to open by late 2027, will deliver technical and engineering services to support the long-term operation and maintenance of the SMR fleet. It will house a virtual reality simulator for training and serve as a base for innovation, development of inspection technology, outage planning, and workforce training.
This investment comes alongside Ontario’s recent approval to construct the first of four BWRX‑300 reactors. SMRs like the BWRX-300 utilize passive safety systems and have a footprint comparable to a football field, yet deliver 300 MW, enough to power around 300,000 homes by 2030. Initial site work has begun, and the first unit is projected to be operational by 2030. As Heather Chalmers, President & CEO of GE Vernova Canada, explained, the centre will “bolster Ontario’s position as a nuclear leader” and “cultivate Canada’s nuclear energy workforce”.
Ontario Power Generation and its construction partners, including Aecon-Kiewit, are overseeing the build and expect to create approximately 18,000 jobs during construction, with roughly 3,700 jobs sustained annually over the plant’s 65-year operation. This builds on lessons learned from the Darlington refurbishment and expands Canada’s lead in nuclear technology.
GE Vernova already operates a similar centre in Wilmington, North Carolina, and this new hub will strengthen collaboration across borders. It also opens doors for future BWRX‑300 deployments outside Ontario.
Ontario’s move helps solidify Canada’s position amid growing SMR interest worldwide. GE Vernova’s BWRX-300 has garnered attention in the UK, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and the United States, with TVA submitting a U.S. permit application for a similar reactor.
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