Canada has taken a critical step forward in its nuclear energy strategy with formal approval for the construction of the nation’s first small modular reactor (SMR), the BWRX-300. The project, located at Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Darlington site,will see GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) begin work immediately.
This marks the first commercial construction of the BWRX-300, a 300 MW reactor based on GE’s tenth generation of boiling water reactor (BWR) technology. Unlike earlier designs, the BWRX-300 benefits from standardization, modularity, and decades of operating data, allowing for reduced capital costs and faster regulatory approval. GVH describes the unit as a scalable, next-generation solution to support grid decarbonization and firm baseload generation.
With completion of the first unit expected by the end of the decade, Darlington is set to become home to four such reactors. The site is uniquely positioned, being the only location in Canada with an existing environmental assessment for new nuclear construction, expediting the regulatory pathway. The approval comes as global interest in SMRs intensifies, particularly among countries seeking clean, dispatchable alternatives to fossil fuels amid rising electricity demand.
GVH emphasized that Ontario’s domestic supply chain will play a central role in the manufacturing and construction phases, with projections of thousands of new jobs generated over the project’s lifecycle. Major partners include engineering firm AtkinsRéalis and infrastructure contractor Aecon.
The significance of the project extends beyond provincial energy goals. For Canada, this SMR represents a pivot in national clean energy strategy, aiming to maintain nuclear’s role in achieving Net Zero while ensuring regional energy reliability. Nuclear currently supplies approximately 15% of Canada’s electricity—more than 60% in Ontario—but most reactors are part of the aging CANDU fleet. The BWRX-300 project signals a generational transition for the nuclear sector.
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