Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to start construction on Canada’s first small modular reactor (SMR) at the Darlington nuclear site has been approved.
Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners — a joint venture between Aecon and Kiewit Nuclear Canada — has been awarded an alliance construction contract for the execution phase of the project. The reactor is expected to be in commercial operation by 2030.
“This is a trailblazing undertaking,” said Aecon Group president and CEO Jean-Louis Servranckx. “We’re proud to play a leading role in delivering the next generation of nuclear plants.”
The project marks the first SMR to be built in a G7 country. Once operational, the reactor will generate enough electricity to power approximately 300,000 homes, while supporting thousands of jobs and strengthening Ontario’s long-term energy supply.
“This is a historic day for Canada,” said Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce in a statement. “This nation-building project will be led by Canadian workers using Canadian steel, concrete and materials to deliver the clean, reliable power needed to drive our economy.”
The province estimates the project will create 18,000 jobs and sustain roughly 3,700 skilled positions over the next 65 years. The government has worked with OPG to ensure 80 per cent of project spending goes to Ontario-based companies.
Construction approval follows a green light from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in April.
The BWRX-300 reactor model is a small-scale nuclear unit that uses commercially available uranium to produce electricity. OPG plans to build four SMRs at the Darlington site, with a combined output of 1,200 megawatts — enough to power about 1.2 million homes.
More than 80 Ontario companies have signed agreements with OPG to support the project. The government also expects further job-creation announcements through commitments with reactor supplier GE Hitachi.
GE Vernova Hitachi’s Lisa McBride called the project a “proud moment” for Ontario, emphasizing its role in driving investment and positioning the province as a global leader in next-generation nuclear technology.
The project is being delivered under an Integrated Project Delivery model and includes OPG, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, and AtkinsRéalis as partners.
