Darlington New Nuclear Project reaches early milestone

The early phase works began in September 2022, and have been led by Ontario Power Generation (OPG)'s project partner ES Fox. The civil works completed in this phase include site grading, construction of temporary roads and construction laydown areas, installation of stormwater features, and establishment of on-site utilities, including power, domestic and fire water, and IT infrastructure.

The site has now transitioned into the care of constructor partner, Aecon, to allow for the main site preparation work to begin. This will include construction work for site establishment activities, including the shoring wall required for reactor building excavation; excavation for the first unit's power block; and clearing and grubbing and early works for units 2, 3, and 4. These programmes are required to be completed over the course of this year under OPG's site preparation licence. The project will then be ready for nuclear construction work to begin in early 2025, pending regulatory approval.

OPG submitted an application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for a licence to construct the first BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Darlington site in October 2022. The Ontario government and OPG last year announced plans to begin the licensing process for three additional BWRX-300 units at the site.

The CNSC is expected to hold its second regulatory hearing to review OPG’s application for the Unit 1 SMR Licence to Construct in October 2024.