NRI Annual Review 2025 - Flipbook - Page 15
Lessons to be learnt from
Ontario Power Generation’s
Darlington New Nuclear Project
by
Arthur Kwok, VP and Treasurer,
Ontario Power Generation
and
Dr. Tim Stone CBE,
Chairman of NRI.
We plan to deploy three
additional SMRs at
Darlington by the
mid-2030s
Arthur Kwok
VP and Treasurer, Ontario Power Generation
In the rapidly advancing field of
SMR construction, collaboration
between private and public entities
is proving essential. Ontario
Power Generation (OPG) offers a
compelling case study in effective
partnership, providing valuable
insights for the UK and other
nations looking to harness the
potential of SMRs.
Q&A with Arthur Kwok,
VP and Treasurer,
Ontario Power Generation
Q: With the project using existing
technology (but re-configured),
are you still encountering FOAK
(first-of-a-kind) obstacles?
A. Yes, we encounter FOAK obstacles,
but our Integrated Project Delivery
(IPD) model with partners like GE
Hitachi, AtkinsRéalis, and Aecon
helps us manage these challenges.
The model promotes a “one team”
approach, integrating people and
systems for joint management and
decision-making, which has been
crucial in overcoming these obstacles.
Q: If all goes to plan, how many
additional GE Hitachi BWRX-300 units
do you plan on building at Darlington?
A. We plan to deploy three additional
SMRs at Darlington by the mid-2030s,
and are also assessing other sites like
15
15
Lambton, Nanticoke, and Wesleyville
for potential new power generation
facilities, as well as planning for the
refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear’s
Units 5 to 8.
Q: How will the licensing of the SMR at
Darlington be dealt with?
A. The Darlington New Nuclear project
follows its own regulatory approval
process, separate from the existing
plant. We were granted the Licence
to Construction by the Canadian
Nuclear Safety Commission in April
2025 and will be commencing nuclear
construction activities.
Q: What do you see as the
opportunities for OPG both in Canada
and around the world from the growth
in nuclear power and as a first mover in
the development of SMRs?
A. Being a first mover in SMR
technology positions Canada/Ontario
as a global leader, offering export
market opportunities and cementing
Ontario’s nuclear supply chain as a
supplier of clean energy technology.
This creates high-quality jobs and
advantages for Canadian companies
involved in the initial supply chain.
