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Aecon partners with Norsk Kjernekraft to develop SMRs in Norway

Canadian firm Aecon and private developer Norsk Kjernekraft have signed a strategic agreement targeting the deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors across several potential locations in Norway.

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Canadian construction and engineering group Aecon has announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with Norwegian company Norsk Kjernekraft to develop small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Norway. The agreement focuses specifically on the BWRX-300 model developed by GE Vernova Hitachi, currently under construction in Canada.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two partners will collaborate to develop a roadmap covering feasibility studies, licensing procedures, stakeholder management and site identification. Norsk Kjernekraft has already identified ten potential locations where preliminary environmental assessments will be initiated.

A Canadian model as operational base

The BWRX-300 model, currently being deployed at the Darlington site in Ontario, will serve as a reference for the Norwegian project. Aecon was awarded the construction phase contract for the Canadian reactor in May, with its share valued at approximately CAD1.3bn ($934mn). The project, described as North America’s first grid-connected SMR on a large scale, is being executed in partnership with Kiewit Nuclear Canada under an Integrated Project Delivery model.

In this context, Aecon will bring its expertise in advanced manufacturing, automation, and project management to Norsk Kjernekraft. Aaron Johnson, Senior Vice President, Nuclear, at Aecon Group Inc., stated that the company is “proud to share best practices and lessons learned from its Canadian experience.”

Industrial ambitions and private financing

Norsk Kjernekraft aims to build, own, and operate SMR plants in Norway in collaboration with power-intensive industries. The company plans to file permit applications in accordance with Norwegian regulations and international standards, following the step-by-step methodology of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Financing will be arranged in collaboration with capital-strong industrial actors and private-sector financial partners. Norsk Kjernekraft CEO Jonny Hesthammer stated that “this agreement is a key step in accelerating SMR development through strong international partnerships.”

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