Construction contract awarded for Darlington SMR

Friday, 9 May 2025

The project to build a GE Hitachi BWRX-300 SMR - described as North America's first grid-scale small modular reactor (SMR) - is being delivered under an Integrated Project Delivery model. Aecon, the lead in the general partnership with Kiewit Nuclear Canada, said its share of the contract is valued at approximately CAD1.3 billion (USD934 million).

Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners will work collaboratively with Ontario Power Generation (OPG), GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and AtkinsRéalis during the execution phase, the company said. Its scope of work will include project management, construction planning and execution, with completion and commercial operation expected in 2030.

"OPG’s Darlington New Nuclear Project is a trailblazing undertaking – leading the way in delivering the next generation of nuclear plants across North America and internationally," Aecon Group President and CEO Jean-Louis Servranckx said.

Aecon is also the leading constructor for three nuclear refurbishment projects in Ontario at OPG's Darlington and Pickering sites and Bruce Power's Major Component Replacement programme.

The Darlington New Nuclear Project will be the first new nuclear build in Ontario in more than three decades. OPG received a Licence to Construct the first of four planned BWRX-300s at Darlington from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in April. Aecon's announcement was made on the same day the government of Ontario gave its approval for the start of construction for the CAD20.9 billion (USD15 billion) Darlington New Nuclear Project.

Site preparation works began in the autumn of 2022, and several long-lead items, including the reactor pressure vessel, have already been procured.

_{OPG's video of site preparations at Darlington}

Article researched and written by WNN's Claire Maden