SNC-Lavalin to develop Canada’s first small modular reactor before 2030

Candu Energy, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group (TSX: SNC), has entered into an agreement with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to deliver the Darlington New Nuclear project. The project is spearheading the deployment of the GEH BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) before the end of the decade. It will be the first grid-scale SMR deployed in Canada.

Companies such as Aecon and GE-Hitachi have joined the six-year alliance agreement with SNC-Lavalin to help provide OPG with a diverse range of expertise for the engineering and build of the Darlington nuclear generating station’s SMR. This is expected to include deploying project management, licencing, 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.

SMRs have potential for use in remote mine sites and communities that currently rely on diesel power.

The original equipment manufacturer of Candu reactors, SNC-Lavalin is the only company to have a technology pass all three phases of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s pre-project design review and says it will leverage its extensive nuclear new build expertise to drive a successful outcome for this first of a kind project.

“Canada’s 2050 net zero commitments will require large-scale electrification of transportation, buildings and heavy industrial processes,” said Ian L. Edwards, president and CEO, SNC-Lavalin. 

“That electricity needs to be generated from clean, reliable, and cost-efficient sources, whose employment in the energy mix will not weaken energy security,” Edwards said.