Amid a major move for Canada’s clean energy future, the country is lit up the environment with the development of major small modular reactors (SMR) projects.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has officially granted a power reactor construction license to construct a small modular reactor for the BWRX-300 at the Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP) site in Clarington, Ontario.
The license is valid until March 31, 2035 and comes with four facility-specific conditions designed to ensure strict regulatory oversight. The move follows a thorough review process, which essentially took place in October 2024 and includes a two-part hearing held in person in January 2025.
National involvement and indigenous consultations are priorities
The committee emphasized its commitment to public participation and Indigenous consultations in making its decision.
The hearing included opinions from a wide range of stakeholders, including local residents, environmental experts and indigenous groups. The CNSC confirmed that the constitutional obligation to consult and that it was fully satisfied to address the rights of Indigenous peoples where necessary.
As a lifecycle regulator, CNSC is pledged to continue engagement with Indigenous peoples and groups through the project’s construction, operation and decommissioning stages.
BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor Explained
The BWRX-300 is a cutting-edge small modular reactor developed by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH).
It is a compact and sophisticated nuclear design that builds on the proven economically simplified boiling water reactor (ESBWR) and incorporates the components of the widely used advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR).
One of the key innovations of the BWRX-300 SMR is its passive safety features. Unlike traditional nuclear reactors that rely on active systems such as electric pumps, the BWRX-300 can safely shut down and cool itself without operator intervention or external power.
This is achieved through natural circulation cooling through which water passes through the reactor core due to natural convection. The result is a simpler, more cost-effective system with improved safety, even in extreme scenarios.
Darlington’s New Nuclear Project: A Vision for Clean and Scalable Power
Darlington’s new nuclear project represents a strategic investment in Ontario’s energy infrastructure.
The OPG’s plans include the final construction of up to four SMRs at the site, aiming to provide 4,800 megawatts of zero emissions to the state’s grid.
The DNNP site, one third east of the existing Darlington nuclear campus, is already equipped with a support infrastructure and a site preparation license from the CNSC.
The BWRX-300 will be the first unit to serve as a model for potentially future reactors within Ontario and across Canada.
Why Canada is pushing its nuclear capabilities
The approval of the BWRX-300’s small modular reactor is more than an Ontario milestone. This is a key step in Canada’s broader energy and climate strategy.
As global energy rises, pressure rises and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, nuclear energy offers reliable carbon-free solutions that can complement renewable energies such as wind and solar.
In particular, SMR offers flexible deployment options, faster construction timelines, and reduced capital costs compared to traditional large nuclear reactors.
This makes it ideal for powering remote communities, supporting industrial operations and replacing aging fossil fuel infrastructure.
By investing in nuclear technologies like the BWRX-300, Canada not only strengthens energy security, but also promotes innovation, generates skilled work, and strengthens its position in the world’s clean energy economy.
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