Candu Energy, part of Canada’s AtkinsRéalis, has been awarded a CSD450m ($327m) execution contract by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), for the first of four planned small modular reactor (SMR) units at the Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP).
In May, Ontario and OPG approved construction of GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s (GVH’s) BWRX-300 SMR. This cleared the way for construction to begin of the first of four planned BWRX-300s at DNNP with completion of the first unit scheduled by the end of the decade.
Early site preparation work at Darlington was completed and in April the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission granted OPG a licence to construct the first unit. The 300 MWe BWRX-300, a 10th generation design, builds on decades of real-world boiling water reactor operating experience and innovation, using a standard design, a proven delivery model and GVH’s experience with cross-border regulatory collaboration.
AtkinsRéalis has been the architect-engineer on the DNNP alliance team since 2023. The Company is working alongside GVH and Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners. The site preparation work undertaken under an earlier validation phase contract was completed on time and on budget. AtkinsRéalis is providing OPG with expertise for the engineering of the SMR. This includes project management, licensing, engineering, design, procurement, construction support and commissioning, as well as digital delivery capabilities in both the nuclear island and balance of plant scopes for the project.
Ian L Edwards, AtkinsRéalis President and CEO, noted: “Our involvement in the G7’s first grid-scale SMR and Canada’s first nuclear new build in roughly 30 years reaffirms our leading position in the global nuclear energy market, for both large and small reactor technologies. Our trusted relationship with OPG supporting hydropower assets and refurbishing Candu reactors at Darlington and Pickering will support this project’s successful completion by 2030.”
OPG President and CEO said: “AtkinsRéalis is a long-time trusted partner to OPG, including on the on-time, on budget Darlington Refurbishment Project. We will draw on our shared experience for similar success as we build the first small modular reactor in the G7 at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site.”
