Provincial leadership on nuclear energy creating jobs and helping reduce global emissions
The Ontario government is building Ontario by attracting jobs and investment, including in our world-class nuclear supply chain. Today, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), BWXT Canada Ltd. (BWXT Canada) and Synthos Green Energy (SGE) announced their intention for BWXT Canada to build key components, here in Ontario, for small modular reactors (SMRs) for use in Poland. This agreement represents approximately $1 billion in contracts for BWXT Canada and marks the first major export opportunity of this Made-in-Ontario technology.
“With the recent announcement of Canada’s first grid-scale SMR at the Darlington site Ontario is leading the way in new nuclear technologies that represent tremendous economic and environmental opportunities for our province and all of Canada,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “The agreement between GEH, BWXT Canada and SGE is proof that the world is watching Ontario when it comes to SMRs. Our strong nuclear supply chain and talented workforce are already paying dividends and cementing our reputation as a global hub for SMR expertise.”
Under the agreement, BWXT could manufacture a wide range of products including reactor pressure vessels, reactor internals, fuel handling systems and other key components. This would support hundreds of jobs at BWXT’s Ontario facilities for a period of ten years while providing Poland with a cutting-edge source of reliable and emission-free technology.
“Ontario’s innovation ecosystem and strong talent pool make our province ripe for developing the energy and cleantech solutions of the future,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We congratulate GEH, BWXT Canada and SGE on this exciting new partnership which would lead to the creation of good, local jobs for Ontario workers and the families that rely on them.”
This builds on recent developments in Ontario, which is a first-mover on SMR technology. GEH was recently named Ontario Power Generation’s technology development partner to deploy a BWRX-300 SMR at their Darlington new nuclear site, which is expected to be completed as early as 2028. In November 2021, GEH and BWXT Canada announced their agreement to cooperate on engineering and manufacturing for BWRX-300 equipment and components.
Ontario’s leadership in SMRs builds on the legacy of Canadian-designed CANDU reactors which have helped countries around the world, including Argentina, South Korea, India and Romania, decrease their emissions. With renewed interest globally in nuclear technology as countries look for ways to decarbonize their electricity grids, Ontario’s nuclear supply chain is prepared to supply the world and export Ontario’s nuclear expertise.
Quick Facts
- Ontario’s electricity supply was 94 per cent emissions-free in 2020. Nuclear energy serves as the backbone of Ontario’s electricity system providing approximately 60% of the electricity the province uses every year. The province’s clean electricity grid also relies on hydroelectric, other renewable electricity sources (wind and solar) and natural gas.
- A typical SMR can generate between 2 and 300 megawatts of electricity, which could provide power for a village or small city.
- SMRs have the potential to drive job creation, economic growth and export opportunities and would allow Ontario to leverage its highly-skilled nuclear industry and work force to be a potential supplier of products, services and expertise in the global SMR market.
Quotes
“Waterloo Region is known for its world-class technology sector, so I applaud BWXT for working with their partners to bring jobs and investment to our local community. I’m thrilled that our Made-In-Ontario SMR technology, which is an energy game-changer, is being exported globally.”
– Mike Harris
MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga
“OPG’s decision to build a grid-scale SMR is extremely important not only for Canada and for us as Synthos Green Energy, but for the whole planet as it makes it possible to implement similar projects in Poland and around the world. As Poland decommissions coal-fired sources, SMRs can play an essential role in deep decarbonization and in meeting the energy needs of a growing economy. I look forward to Poland having a special position on the global map of SMR technology development.”
– Michał Sołowow
Owner of the Synthos Group
“This agreement represents a tremendous opportunity for BWXT Canada and the Ontario nuclear supply chain to secure a leading role in the global deployment of SMRs. We thank GEH for their recognition of the unique skills and capabilities available in the Ontario nuclear supply chain and OPG and SGE for their leadership in potential deployment of this advanced, reliable and carbon-free power generation technology in Canada and Poland. We also thank the Ontario government for their continued support of the Ontario nuclear supply chain.”
– John MacQuarrie
President of BWXT Nuclear Power Group
“OPG is leading the way in development and deployment of the next generation of clean nuclear power in Canada with help from Ontario’s robust nuclear supply chain, including at BWXT. As we advance this project, we are pleased to work with other jurisdictions also working to battle climate change using the affordable, zero-emissions power supplied by small modular reactors.”
– Ken Hartwick
President and CEO of Ontario Power Generation
“Canada is ready to lead the world in the deployment of small modular reactors and BWXT Canada is strongly positioned to support the deployment of our SMR technology in Canada and around the world. With rapidly growing global interest in the BWRX-300, GEH is poised to bring significant value to Canada through partners like SGE, benefitting Canada with high paying jobs for decades to come.”
– Jay Wileman
President and CEO of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
