Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has received approval from the Province of Ontario to move forward with contracts valued at over $1 billion in collaboration with BWXT Canada. These contracts are crucial for the refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and for the development of the first small modular reactor (SMR) in the G7, located at Darlington.

For the Pickering refurbishment, BWXT will be tasked with manufacturing 48 new steam generators. These generators play a vital role in converting heat from the reactor into steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity. This $960 million project, scheduled to span over seven years, is expected to create more than 250 trade jobs, alongside engineering and supporting positions.

In addition, BWXT will manufacture the reactor pressure vessel for the Darlington New Nuclear Project. This part of the project is expected to create 100 additional jobs. Notably, BWXT is the first North American manufacturer to begin work on the reactor pressure vessel for an SMR technology, marking a significant step forward in the nuclear industry.

John MacQuarrie, president of BWXT’s commercial operations, expressed the company’s readiness to support Ontario’s clean energy future, emphasizing the role these projects will play in creating jobs and providing emissions-free electricity. He highlighted that these projects leverage BWXT’s specialized capabilities and expertise in the production of large components for both domestic and international nuclear power industries.

This initiative underscores Ontario’s commitment to nuclear energy, job creation, and sustainable, emissions-free electricity generation, marking a major milestone in the province’s energy sector.