Darlington Site to Host Canada’s First Grid-Scale Small Modular Reactor, Ontario Tech University Expert Says
Ontario Power Generation’s plan to build a small modular reactor (SMR) at the Darlington New Nuclear site, next to the existing Darlington nuclear plant, is described by Dr. Kirk Atkinson, Associate Professor at Ontario Tech University, as Canada’s first grid-scale SMR. Dr. Atkinson states the BWRX-300 reactor is expected to supply electricity to the regional grid before 2030.
According to Dr. Atkinson, the Darlington SMR is the first of this scale in the Western world to be connected to a major grid. He notes that three additional SMRs are expected to be added at Darlington in the following years, with more projects based on the same technology likely to follow elsewhere in Canada throughout the 2030s.
Dr. Atkinson states each SMR can produce up to 300 megawatts of electricity, which could provide power for about 300,000 homes. SMRs are designed to be smaller than traditional nuclear reactors, occupying less space and generally requiring smaller exclusion zones. According to Dr. Atkinson, some SMRs feature passive safety systems that allow for shutdown and self-cooling without human intervention or backup power supply.
Dr. Atkinson explains that while large reactors may be most suitable for densely populated or highly industrialized regions, SMRs could be better suited in locations without hydro power or reliable grid connections, including less-populated areas and remote communities. He adds SMRs may be used to replace coal or diesel generators or provide independent or backup power for facilities such as mines and industrial sites.
According to Dr. Atkinson, the design for the Darlington SMR comes from the United States, but much of the manufacturing, uranium fuel (prior to enrichment), and workforce are Canadian. Dr. Atkinson points to an expected increase in job and supplier opportunities in Durham Region linked to the project.
Dr. Atkinson states that SMRs require a significant initial investment and are not expected to lower electricity prices in the short term. However, he notes that if more SMRs are built and designs are standardized, the long-term cost per megawatt may stabilize or decrease.
SMRs are described by Dr. Atkinson as providing a stable electricity source that can operate alongside renewable energy sources by supplying power during periods when wind or solar do not generate electricity.
Ontario Tech University reports it supports SMR development through educational and research programs, including SMR-focused courses and hosting Canada’s only International Atomic Energy Agency Collaborating Centre focused on SMRs. According to the university, its faculty receive research grants from industry and government, some for work involving local and Indigenous partners. Ontario Tech states that its staff participate on national energy advisory committees and contribute to research covering various clean energy technologies.