SaskPower has selected Ontario Power Generation technology partner GE Hitachi to deploy the province’s first small modular reactor.
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In December 2021, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy was named as Ontario Power Generation’s technology development partner to deploy a BWRX-300 SMR at the Darlington new nuclear site, which is expected to be completed as early as 2028.
Saskatchewan-produced uranium linked with Ontario nuclear knowledge and expertise will create exciting new opportunities for both provinces at home and abroad.
“Ontario is proud to lead the way on new nuclear technologies. As an early mover in this field, we look forward to collaborating with Saskatchewan on its plan to deploy SMR technology,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy.
“I am confident that the skill of Ontario’s nuclear operators and our robust nuclear supply chain will grant us even more opportunities to export Ontario’s nuclear expertise, especially as more and more countries realize that there is no path to net-zero without nuclear.”
Since December 2019, Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have been working together to advance SMRs in Canada through an inter-provincial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Alberta joined the MOU in April 2021.
The provinces released a strategic plan for the deployment of SMRs during an announcement in Regina in March 2022 that highlighted how SMRs could provide safe and reliable power to meet communities’ growing needs, create good-paying jobs and help provinces meet their environmental goals.
SMRs are scalable and versatile nuclear reactors that typically produce up to 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power 300,000 homes. They can support large established grids, small grids, remote off-grid communities and resource projects.
Ontario currently has 15 nuclear units in operation – and three units under refurbishment – at three sites, providing over 50 per cent of the province’s clean electricity. The Darlington SMR will be the first new reactor in the province since 1993. ■