SMR facility will protect workers by bringing over 300 good-paying jobs to Durham Region and training thousands of workers in the nuclear industry each year
On Monday, June 23, 2025, the Ontario government announced it has secured an investment of $70 million from GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) to build the world’s first BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) engineering and service centre in Durham Region near the Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP) site. This investment supports Ontario’s first-ever comprehensive energy plan, Energy for Generations, which is an important part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by ensuring the province has the energy it needs to support new housing and power the most competitive economy in the G7 for generations to come.
“Ontario is proud to lead the world in next-generation nuclear innovation, creating good-paying local jobs, training thousands of skilled workers and delivering clean, reliable power for decades to come,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “By locking in this investment from GE Vernova we are reinforcing our plan to make Ontario a clean energy superpower where our workers build with Canadian materials, operate with Canadian expertise and export the clean technology the world needs.”
Once complete, the new engineering and service centre will create new opportunities for workers in engineering, science, construction and other skilled trades to find good-paying jobs in the face of economic uncertainty. It will bring over 300 good-paying jobs to Durham Region, while its training facilities will help more than 2,000 people per year acquire the skills they need for successful careers as experts on nuclear innovation and operations, further expanding Canada’s homegrown nuclear energy workforce.
“The Canadian BWRX-300 Engineering and Service Centre will bolster Ontario’s position as a nuclear leader and further cultivate Canada’s nuclear energy workforce with an industry-leading training ecosystem,” said Heather Chalmers, President & CEO, GE Vernova Canada. “This Ontario-based hub will provide the province with continued access to the best and brightest talent and innovation in the nuclear energy industry while complementing global efforts for deploying the BWRX-300.”
With Ontario’s electricity demand set to increase by 75 per cent by 2050, the government launched its first-ever integrated energy plan, Energy for Generations, which brings together nuclear, electricity, hydrogen and other energy sources under one comprehensive plan to ensure the province has the affordable, secure, reliable and clean energy needed to build a more competitive, resilient, and self-reliant province. With Ontario’s record investments in energy infrastructure, including world-leading investments in SMR technology, the province is strengthening access to reliable and affordable fuels that are critical to Ontario’s industries, farmers and rural communities.
In addition to the new engineering & service centre, the Darlington New Nuclear Project will create and sustain 3,700 good-paying jobs during the construction and long-term operation of its four SMRs. The project will contribute $38.5 billion to Ontario’s GDP over 65 years, with 80 per cent of project spending going to Ontario companies. Once complete, the four SMRs will produce 1,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power 1.2 million homes.
Energy for Generations provides a coordinated, long-term approach to make sure Ontario has the reliable, affordable energy it needs to be energy secure and power economic growth. The government’s integrated approach and record investments in energy infrastructure are also providing the certainty needed for Indigenous communities, municipalities, businesses and industry partners to invest confidently in Ontario’s future. With a clear path forward, the plan not only helps meet the demands of today but will help protect workers and the economy by keeping workers on the job and powering growth and opportunities for generations to come.
Quick Facts
- The government is supporting OPG’s $20.9 billion budget for the Darlington New Nuclear Project, which includes site preparation, engineering and design work to date, as well as the construction of all four SMRs.
- Nuclear power will play an important role in meeting Ontario’s energy needs and already provides almost half of the province’s electricity while emitting no greenhouse gasses.
- The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has concluded that the SMRs at Darlington are the best option to meet growing energy demand in terms of cost and risks, when compared against non-emitting generation alternatives.
- According to the IESO, the province would need to build up to 8,900 MW of wind and solar paired with battery storage to replace the output of four SMRs. The IESO also concluded this alternative approach would carry significant risks including significant land requirements and the need for large scale transmission build out.
- Ontario’s nuclear industry supports around 80,000 good-paying jobs in communities across the province.
- A Conference Board of Canada study estimates the construction of four SMRs will create 18,000 Canadian jobs and inject $500 million on average annually into Ontario’s economy.
- The new BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Engineering & Service Centre will support the global development and delivery of the BWRX-300 SMR technology here in Ontario and around the world.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
