AtkinsRéalis Secures Historic $450M Contract for G7’s First Small Modular Reactor

The nuclear construction industry reached a pivotal milestone this week as AtkinsRéalis announced its subsidiary Candu Energy has secured a substantial C$450 million execution contract from Ontario Power Generation (OPG). This landmark deal positions the engineering giant to deliver the G7’s first operational small modular reactor (SMR) at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, marking Canada’s first nuclear new build in approximately three decades.

The project represents far more than a single construction contract. Industry analysts view this development as a potential catalyst for a global SMR construction boom, with significant implications for the nuclear energy sector’s future trajectory. The 300-megawatt BWRX-300 unit, scheduled for completion by 2030, will demonstrate the commercial viability of advanced nuclear technology on an unprecedented scale.

Project Scope and Technical Specifications

AtkinsRéalis will oversee comprehensive project management, licensing, engineering, design, procurement, construction support, and commissioning for the new SMR facility. The company’s responsibilities extend across both the nuclear island and balance of plant scopes, representing a complete turnkey approach to SMR deployment.

The BWRX-300 reactor employs innovative design principles that differentiate it from traditional nuclear facilities. The system utilizes a reactor pressure vessel with a tall chimney configuration to facilitate natural circulation for core cooling, eliminating the need for recirculation pumps. This simplified design approach reduces both construction complexity and long-term operational requirements.

Located approximately 70 kilometers east of Toronto on Lake Ontario’s shore, the Darlington site already houses four operational Candu reactors with a combined generating capacity of 3.5 gigawatts. The existing nuclear infrastructure provides crucial logistical advantages for SMR construction, including established safety protocols, workforce expertise, and regulatory frameworks.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The economic implications of this project extend well beyond the immediate construction phase. Industry projections indicate the four-unit SMR program will create up to 18,000 Canadian jobs throughout the construction period. The provincial government estimates the project will inject an average of $500 million annually into Ontario’s economy, generating substantial multiplier effects across related industries.

Long-term economic modeling suggests the construction, operation, and maintenance of all four SMR units will contribute an estimated $38.5 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product over the next 65 years. These figures underscore the strategic importance of nuclear energy in Canada’s economic development strategy.

“Our involvement in the G7’s first grid-scale SMR and Canada’s first nuclear new build in roughly 30 years reaffirms our leading position in the global nuclear energy market, for both large and small reactor technologies,” stated Ian L. Edwards, president and chief executive of AtkinsRéalis.

Strategic Partnerships and Industry Collaboration

AtkinsRéalis has maintained its architect-engineer role on the Darlington New Nuclear Project alliance team since 2023, collaborating closely with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners. This established partnership framework enabled efficient progression from preliminary validation phases to full construction authorization.

The validation-phase contract completion demonstrated the project team’s capability to deliver complex nuclear construction on schedule and within budget parameters. Site preparation activities concluded successfully, providing the foundation for regulatory approval and project advancement.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued the construction license for the first SMR in April 2025, followed by final Ontario government approval on May 8. This regulatory timeline reflects streamlined approval processes specifically developed for advanced nuclear technologies.

Addressing Growing Energy Demand

Ontario’s electricity consumption patterns drive the urgency behind SMR deployment. Provincial energy forecasters project power demand will surge by 75 percent by 2050, creating substantial pressure on existing generation capacity. Traditional renewable sources alone cannot address this dramatic increase while maintaining grid reliability requirements.

“Ontario’s power demand is expected to surge by 75% by 2050 and we’ll need all sources of cleaner power to meet the need, including large and small nuclear reactor technology,” explained Joe St. Julian, president of nuclear at AtkinsRéalis.

The four planned SMR units will collectively generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power approximately 1.2 million homes once fully operational. This capacity addition represents a significant contribution to Ontario’s decarbonization objectives while providing baseload power essential for grid stability.

Global SMR Market Implications

The Darlington project establishes Canada as a global leader in commercial SMR deployment, potentially attracting international investment and technology partnerships. The successful execution of this first-of-its-kind facility will provide crucial operational data and construction methodologies for subsequent SMR projects worldwide.

AtkinsRéalis has simultaneously secured additional SMR contracts, including an Owner’s Engineer agreement with Energy Northwest in Washington state for X-energy reactor development. This diversified project portfolio positions the company as a dominant player in the emerging SMR construction market.

The BWRX-300 technology offers significant cost advantages compared to traditional nuclear construction. Industry estimates suggest capital costs of approximately $2,500 per kilowatt, substantially lower than conventional reactor designs. These economics support broader SMR adoption across multiple markets and applications.

Final Thoughts

Construction activities will commence immediately following final contract execution, with major concrete placement expected to begin in late 2025. The project timeline allows for systematic component manufacturing and delivery coordination, critical factors in nuclear construction success.

The 2030 completion target aligns with broader provincial energy planning objectives and federal climate commitments. Meeting this schedule requires precise coordination between multiple contractors, suppliers, and regulatory bodies throughout the construction phase.

Industry observers anticipate this project will establish standardized construction methodologies applicable to subsequent SMR deployments. The development of repeatable construction processes represents a crucial factor in achieving cost-effective nuclear energy expansion.

The successful delivery of Canada’s first commercial SMR will demonstrate the viability of advanced nuclear technology for addressing climate change objectives while supporting economic growth. This landmark project positions AtkinsRéalis at the forefront of nuclear industry transformation and establishes a foundation for global SMR market expansion.