Ontario Power Generation (OPG) on Wednesday announced an ambitious business partnership that expects to have a completed BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor in place at Canada’s Darlington Nuclear Power Plant by late 2028.
The achievement would mark North America’s first small modular reactor (SMR), set at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site, the only Canadian site licensed currently for new nuclear. Although the specific placement for the SMR project is still under study, Darlington has an accepted environmental assessment and a Site Preparation License.
OPG called the integrated teamwork arrangement an “innovative contracting approach for a nuclear project in North America.” Under the terms of the agreement, GE Hitachi, SNC-Lavalin, Aecon and OPG will provide a diverse range of expertise and services. The setup doles out responsibilities as follows: OPG will serve as license holder, maintain overall responsibility for the project, undertake operator training, commissioning, indigenous engagement, stakeholder outreach and oversight.
GE Hitachi is the designated technology developer, responsible for design, procurement of major components, engineering and related support.
SNC-Lavalin is the architect-engineer responsible for design, engineering and procurement, while Aecon is to provide construction planning and execution.
OPG expects substantial payback. Direct, indirect and spin-off related employment is expected to include 700 jobs during project development, 1,600 jobs during manufacturing and construction, 200 ongoing jobs during operations and 160 jobs during decommissioning 60 years down the road.
The estimated financial impacts include more than $2.5 billion added to the Gross Domestic Product with provincial revenues of more than $870 million.
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