GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy received final approval from the Ontario government to begin construction on what could become the first small modular reactor (SMR) in G7 nations, advancing a project that reflects nuclear power’s growing appeal for clean energy requirements.
The joint venture will build a BWRX-300 reactor at Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington site with a 300-megawatt capacity, enough to power 300,000 households. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission granted the construction license last month, with operations expected to begin by 2030.
The C$20.9 billion ($15.1 billion) venture represents a significant step in mainstreaming SMR technology, which proponents tout as cheaper and faster to deploy than conventional nuclear plants. Ontario plans to eventually construct four BWRX-300 reactors at the site, with three additional units scheduled to come online between 2034 and 2036.
For Hitachi, which owns 40% of the joint venture, this marks its first SMR project. The company’s alliance with GE Vernova positions the partnership to capitalize on rising energy demand driven partly by power-hungry artificial intelligence data centers.
SMR backers cite lower construction costs and simplified designs as key advantages over traditional reactors. While several SMRs operate in Russia and China, the Darlington project would be the first deployment in Western developed economies, potentially establishing a blueprint for similar projects in the U.S., UK, Poland, and Sweden.
