Ontario is moving forward with a groundbreaking $21 billion plan to build four small modular reactors (SMRs), making it the first jurisdiction in the western world to pursue the compact nuclear technology at this scale. Ontario Power Generation will begin construction of the first SMR, the BWRX-300 designed by GE Hitachi, near the Darlington nuclear station east of Toronto. The initial unit, costing $7.7 billion, will generate 300 megawatts—enough electricity to power 300,000 homes—with all four reactors expected online by 2035.
SMRs are scaled-down nuclear reactors that use fission to generate heat and electricity, making them a potential fit for remote or industrial applications. They offer a modular, factory-built alternative to traditional nuclear plants, with smaller footprints and shorter build times. Advocates say they could play a key role in meeting rising electricity demands, which Ontario projects will surge 75% by 2050.
The project is seen as a test case for global SMR deployment. Saskatchewan is considering the same model, while Alberta and New Brunswick are also exploring similar ventures. International interest is growing too, with Ontario aiming to export its SMR expertise to countries like Poland and Estonia. More than 80 Ontario-based firms will take part in construction, which is expected to create 18,000 jobs and generate long-term economic benefits.
However, critics like Jack Gibbons of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance argue solar and wind power would be more cost-effective and question the reliance on U.S.-based GE Hitachi and enriched uranium imports, which could be politically vulnerable.
Source: Swifteradio.com
