Arabelle Solutions, a subsidiary of the French utility Électricité de France (EDF), has been selected to supply the turbine, TOPAIR generator, and heat exchangers for the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) project at Darlington, Ontario. The project, led by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), represents the first nuclear construction in Canada in over 30 years, with a target commissioning date in 2030.
A milestone for the SMR sector
The BWRX-300, developed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, has an electrical output of 300 megawatts and incorporates passive safety systems. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has issued the construction licence, and the Government of Ontario has approved the start of construction. The plant is expected to be the first commercial SMR connected to the North American grid.
Arabelle Solutions will deliver a steam turbine specifically designed for the steam profile of the BWRX-300, with a 34-metre shaft, including a single-flow high-pressure module and two double-flow low-pressure modules. The 370 MVA TOPAIR generator will be coupled with the turbine to ensure optimal energy conversion for the Canadian grid.
An integrated supply chain
The project includes local industrial partners, such as Ontario-based Chemetics Inc., which will manufacture components for the heat exchangers. This strategy aims to strengthen the project’s industrial base in Canada while optimising maintenance and modernisation cycle management.
EDF’s acquisition of a portion of GE Vernova’s conventional nuclear island activities, completed in May of the previous year, has allowed Arabelle Solutions to strengthen its position in the international market for turbines and generators for nuclear reactors. The company’s portfolio now covers the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of conventional island equipment for both new plants and ongoing operations outside the Americas.
Industrial expertise and outlook
Arabelle Solutions employs around 3,300 people, working on both new projects and modernising existing nuclear facilities. Its turbines are used particularly in EDF’s EPR, EPR2, and SMR reactor series, consolidating its presence in the advanced nuclear technology sector.
The integration of solutions suited to modular reactors, with thermal cycle optimisation and advanced steam and water loop management, places the Darlington site at the heart of industrial ambitions for the SMR sector. The success of this project could influence future technological and industrial decisions in the North American market.
