GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) has been selected by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) as the technology partner for the Darlington New Nuclear Project. GEH will work with OPG to deploy a BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) at the Darlington site that could be complete as early as 2028.
“We are thrilled to be selected by OPG as a technology partner,” said Jay Wileman, President & CEO, GEH. “OPG is Ontario’s climate change leader and is positioned to become a world leader in SMRs. Together, this partnership will bring jobs and economic benefits to Durham Region, Ontario and Canada, and potential global export of this technology.”
“We know nuclear is a key proven zero emissions baseload energy source that will help us achieve net zero as a company by 2040, and act as a catalyst for efficient economy-wide decarbonization by 2050,” said Ken Hartwick, OPG’s President and CEO. “By moving forward, with our industry-leading technology partner GE Hitachi, on deployment of innovative technology for an SMR at Darlington, OPG is paving the way on the development and deployment of the next generation of nuclear power in Canada and beyond.”
Advanced nuclear technologies like the BWRX-300 are a key pillar of GE’s energy transition leadership. The BWRX-300 produces no carbon during operation and has been designed to achieve construction and operating costs that are substantially lower than traditional nuclear power generation technologies. Specifically, the BWRX-300 leverages a unique combination of a new, patented safety breakthrough, proven components, the licensing basis of the U.S. NRC-certified ESBWR and an existing, licensed fuel design. This unique combination positions GEH to deliver an innovative, carbon-free baseload power generation source this decade.
In addition to the climate benefits the BWRX-300 stands to deliver, GE’s partnership with OPG has the potential to bring substantial economic opportunity to Ontario and Canada. Headquartered in Ontario, GEH SMR Technologies Canada, Ltd. (GEH SMR Canada), has created 80 highly skilled jobs to support the deployment of the BWRX-300 in Canada and around the world.
“We plan to continue to create many skilled, high-paying jobs in Ontario as we build our BWRX-300 team,” said Lisa McBride, Country Leader, GEH SMR Canada.
In addition to the direct job creation, an independent report by PwC Canada, commissioned by GEH, estimates that the construction and operation of the first BWRX-300 in Ontario is expected to generate approximately $2.3 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), $1.9 billion in labour income and more than $750 million in federal, provincial and municipal tax revenue over its lifespan.
GE’s support for the Canadian nuclear industry dates to the early 1950s. The company helped build the first Canadian nuclear power plant, the Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) reactor that became the basis for the entire CANDU fleet. Today, GE Hitachi is partnering with several Canadian firms as it builds a supply chain to support deployment of the BWRX-300.
There is significant and growing global interest in the BWRX-300. In addition to Canada, GEH has agreements in place with utilities and companies in the U.S. Poland, Estonia and the Czech Republic to explore deployment of the technology.
About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety.
