Ontario to Begin Construction on Canada’s First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor

Ontario is set to make history by launching construction of Canada’s first small modular reactor (SMR) at the Darlington nuclear site. Premier Doug Ford’s government has approved Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to begin work on the 300-megawatt reactor, which is expected to power up to 300,000 homes.

This SMR marks the first of four planned reactors at the site, with a total estimated cost of $20.9 billion. The first unit alone will cost $7.7 billion, including $1.6 billion in shared infrastructure.

Ontario’s demand for electricity is projected to rise by 75% by 2050, and officials say SMRs offer a reliable, land-efficient alternative to renewables like wind and solar, which require larger areas and more infrastructure.

The new reactor, based on the GE Hitachi BWRX-300 design, will be the first of its kind built anywhere in the world, potentially positioning Ontario as a global exporter of SMR components.

Construction is expected to be completed by 2029, with the reactor connected to the grid in 2030. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has already granted approval.

OPG will fund the project using cash and debt, with no direct taxpayer money, though Ontario continues to subsidize hydro rates through separate programs.

The project is expected to generate 3,700 jobs annually over 65 years and bring in $13 billion in tax revenue across all levels of government.

However, environmental critics remain skeptical. John Bennett of Friends of the Earth Canada warned that no nuclear project has stayed on budget, and questioned the cost comparisons with renewables.