Wedoany.com Report-May 29, Candu Energy, a subsidiary of AtkinsRéalis, has secured a $450 million contract from Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for the delivery of the first small modular reactor (SMR) at the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Durham Region, east of Toronto. The 300MW BWRX-300 reactor is expected to supply electricity to around 300,000 homes.

The contract was awarded by Ontario Power Generation (OPG).

Under the agreement, AtkinsRéalis will provide a full range of engineering services. These include project management, licensing, design, procurement, construction support, commissioning, and digital delivery for both the nuclear island and balance of plant systems.

Ian L. Edwards, President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis, said: “As a world-class engineering services and nuclear organisation, we are advocates for the role of SMRs in the energy mix to create stable, affordable, and reliable power grids. 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.”

AtkinsRéalis has been part of the Darlington New Nuclear Project alliance team since 2023, working alongside GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners. The team previously completed site preparation work on schedule and within budget under an earlier contract phase.

The project has received all key regulatory approvals to move forward. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has granted a construction licence for the SMR, and earlier this month, OPG received formal approval from the Ontario government to proceed with development.

The Darlington New Nuclear Project represents a major investment in Canada’s energy infrastructure. OPG plans to allocate a total of $20.9 billion for the project, which includes site preparation, engineering, and the construction of four SMRs. The first unit is expected to cost approximately $6.1 billion, with an additional $1.6 billion designated for shared systems and services across the SMRs.

This SMR project is the first new nuclear build in Canada in nearly three decades and marks the G7’s first grid-scale SMR development. It plays a significant role in advancing clean energy goals by offering a reliable, non-emitting power source.

With AtkinsRéalis’ engineering capabilities and longstanding cooperation with OPG on nuclear and hydropower projects, the Darlington SMR initiative aims to support regional power demands and contribute to a sustainable energy future. Construction of the first unit is expected to be completed by 2030.