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Aecon secures $934mn contract for Darlington SMR construction

Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners will lead construction of North America’s first grid-scale small modular reactor, with commercial operation expected in 2030.

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Ontario Power Generation has awarded Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners the construction contract for the Darlington New Nuclear Project, which involves the installation of a BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) developed by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. This unit will be the first of four planned for the Darlington site, east of Toronto. Approved by the Ontario government, the project represents a total investment of CAD20.9bn ($15bn).

A major contract for Canada’s nuclear sector

Aecon Group Inc. stated that its portion of the contract is valued at approximately CAD1.3bn ($934mn). The partnership with Kiewit Nuclear Canada operates under an Integrated Project Delivery model designed to strengthen collaboration between industry stakeholders and minimise cost overruns. The consortium will work alongside Ontario Power Generation (OPG), GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, and AtkinsRéalis during the project’s execution phase.

The scope includes project management, construction planning, and full implementation through to commercial operation, scheduled for 2030. Site preparation began in 2022, with several critical components, including the reactor pressure vessel, already procured.

First new nuclear build in Ontario in over three decades

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued a construction licence in April for the first BWRX-300 unit. This marks the first new nuclear build in Ontario in more than 30 years. The provincial government authorised the project’s construction on May 8, representing a significant milestone in the province’s nuclear programme.

Jean-Louis Servranckx, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aecon Group, described the project as “trailblazing” for the North American nuclear sector in a company statement. In addition to this initiative, Aecon is already engaged in three nuclear refurbishment programmes in Ontario, including at Darlington, Pickering and Bruce Power.

A strong signal for the modular reactor market

The BWRX-300 is considered a next-generation SMR technology, offering a standardised design and shorter construction timelines as an alternative to traditional large-scale plants.

With this contract, Aecon strengthens its position as a key player in Canada’s nuclear industry. The Darlington project is part of a broader trend of strategic investments in SMRs across North America, attracting growing interest from other Canadian provinces and private sector stakeholders.

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