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Aecon partners with Fermi Energia to support BWRX-300 deployment in Estonia

Canadian firm Aecon will collaborate with Estonia’s Fermi Energia on preparatory work for the BWRX-300 reactor, aiming to transfer Canadian expertise in small modular nuclear technology.

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Estonian company Fermi Energia has signed a cooperation agreement with Canadian firm Aecon to support the development phase of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) designed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. The three-year agreement will allow both parties to develop a joint roadmap for introducing this nuclear technology in Estonia.

Aecon will contribute its experience gained in Canada, particularly on the BWRX-300 reactor site at Darlington, developed by Ontario Power Generation. This project, approved by Ontario authorities with a targeted commissioning date in 2030, is the first small modular reactor connected to the grid in North America.

Skill transfer based on Canadian experience

Under the signed agreement, Aecon will work on early-stage phases, including cost planning, formation of local construction teams, and coordination of pre-construction scheduling. The cooperation will also involve Estonian and international partners to help develop a domestic supply chain based on the Canadian model.

The BWRX-300 technology is a 300 MWe boiling water reactor using natural circulation and passive safety systems. Fermi Energia selected this model in February 2023, following a technical evaluation process launched in 2019, with a goal of first commissioning in the second half of 2035.

Planned commissioning timeline

Fermi Energia plans to submit a construction permit application in 2029, with work expected to start in 2031. Two BWRX-300 units may be installed, with the first one scheduled to be operational within ten years, pending regulatory approvals and project financing.

Founded by Estonian energy professionals, Fermi Energia aims to position the country as a Northern European leader in modular nuclear deployment. The partnership with Aecon aligns with this strategy to offset the progressive phase-out of fossil fuels while ensuring a stable domestic energy supply.

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