Ontario Completes Major Milestone on G7’s First Small Modular Reactor
Press Release
April 30, 2026
2.1-million-pound Basemat installation marks first new nuclear reactor foundation in 30 years, 16 new companies sign on to deliver this nation-building project
CLARINGTON – As part of its plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, the Ontario government reached a major construction milestone on the G7’s first Small Modular Reactor (SMR). Today, at the CNA2026 Conference, Minister Stephen Lecce announced that a 2.1-million-pound Basemat module for the Unit 1 SMR was lifted and installed at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site. This precision lift, the equivalent of lifting more than three Airbus A380 airliners, was executed by one of the world’s largest crawler cranes, lowering the material within millimetre precision and represents the first foundation of a new nuclear reactor to be built in Ontario in over 30 years. Once complete, the Darlington New Nuclear Project’s four SMRs will produce 1,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power 1.2 million homes.
“Ontario is building the Western World’s first Small Modular Reactor — creating 18,000 good-paying jobs,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Ontario just executed with great precision the first foundation of a new nuclear reactor in Ontario in over 30 years. This is a major achievement as the world turns to Ontario to refurbish and build large scale nuclear on-time and on-budget. For the first time, Ontario has secured over 100 Ontario-based businesses to help build the components for SMRs, infusing over $500 million into Ontario’s economy. Our government is deeply committed to building more in Canada, which is why we are proud to invest at least 80 per cent of every dollar in the Canadian supply chain.”
In addition, the government is announcing that more than 100 Canadian companies have signed onto the SMR supply chain. Building on the more than 80 northern and rural Ontario companies that have already signed agreements with Ontario Power Generation and its partners to deliver this first-of-its-kind project, sixteen new Ontario-based companies, and six companies from Quebec and Alberta have joined the supply chain to support the SMR builds. Recently awarded contracts include:
- Walters Group, based in Hamilton, has been awarded a $44.5 million contract for structural steel.
- Marmon Industrial Water, based in Toronto, has been awarded a $17.8 million contract for a condensate purification package.
- Tractel, based in Scarborough, has been awarded a $9.9 million contract for the reactor building weather enclosure.
- Hooper Welding, based in Oakville, has been awarded an $8.8 million contract for sampling and collection tanks.
The construction, operation and maintenance of the four units will add $38.5 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next 65 years. The government has worked with Ontario Power Generation to ensure that 80 per cent of project spending goes to Ontario companies and that construction and operations will protect Ontario workers and jobs by sustaining an estimated 3,800 highly-skilled, good-paying jobs for the next 65 years.
“With the foundation of the first Small Modular Reactor at the Darlington New Nuclear Project in place, we are now able to begin building up, with the project team now advancing construction on the reactor building’s structure, internal systems and components,” said Nicolle Butcher, OPG President and CEO. “This was a milestone months in the making, requiring significant attention to detail and safety, as well as the hard work of dedicated trades and project partners from across Ontario.” Within Canada, the Ontario government and OPG are collaborating with power companies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Yukon and Nova Scotia as they work towards the potential deployment of SMRs in their jurisdictions. Around the world, the government has helped secure job-creating agreements that deploy made-in-Ontario components to build SMRs for the world.
SMRs play a central role in Energy for Generations, the government’s first-ever integrated energy plan to ensure Ontario has the reliable, affordable power it needs to power new homes and drive 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 is not only meeting the demands of today, but it is protecting jobs, supporting workers and powering economic growth for generations to come.
Quick Facts
- In 2025, the Ontario government approved OPG’s plan to begin construction on the first of four SMRs at the Darlington nuclear site.
- During project development OPG will continue to build respectful, collaborative relationships with the communities of the Williams Treaties First Nations, while pursuing potential opportunities for their equity partnership in the project. This would be a first-of-its-kind partnership in Canada for nuclear energy generation, reflecting the government and OPG’s commitment to ensure local First Nations benefit from new projects in their territories.
- The LR/LE 12500-1.0 crawler crane has up to 2,500 tons (5.5 million pounds) lifting capacity and more than 200 metres of reach.
- Once complete, the Darlington New Nuclear Projects four SMRs will produce 1,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power 1.2 million homes.
- The province and federal government are making historic investments in this nation-building project, including a $1 billion provincial investment through the Building Ontario Fund and a $2 billion federal investment through the Canada Growth Fund.
- OPG began site preparation for the first SMR in December 2022. Ontario announced that OPG would begin planning and licensing for three additional SMRs, for a total of four SMRs at the Darlington nuclear site in July 2023. OPG obtained a Licence to Construct (LTC) for Unit 1 from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in April 2025. OPG filed its Licence to Operate (LTO) application for Unit 1 to the CNSC in March 2026.
Quotes
“Today’s achievement is a display of Ontario’s ability to deliver on big, world-leading projects, and a sign of confidence to industry that we can get the job done. With its foundation now laid, the G7’s first SMR is one step closer to delivering clean, affordable, and reliable electricity, while its ongoing construction continues to support Ontario’s workers, jobs, and economy.”
– Sam Oosterhoff
Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries
“This remarkable accomplishment at Darlington’s new nuclear site promises thousands of jobs and hundreds more during operations, boosting economic growth within the Region of Durham, the fasting growing Region in our great Province, now and in the future. We are powering Ontario’s economic growth by making record investments in energy infrastructure. Ontario is leading nuclear expansion and is leveraging its nuclear advantage to advance opportunities here at home and globally.”
– Lorne Coe
MPP Whitby
“This milestone at the Darlington New Nuclear Site marks a new chapter for Ontario’s energy future. The successful installation of the SMR basemat not only reflects world-class engineering and precision, but also signals our commitment to reliable, clean power that will support over a million homes. With a growing made-in-Ontario supply chain and strong local partnerships, this project is helping to drive economic growth, create skilled jobs, and position our province as a global leader in innovative nuclear technology.”
– Todd McCarthy
MPP for Durham
“Today’s installation of the Basemat module is a cornerstone moment for Ontario and for Canada’s new nuclear future, both physically and symbolically. It marks the first foundation of a new nuclear power reactor in Canada in over three decades and demonstrates that new nuclear deployment is no longer theoretical. It is being built just outside Canada’s largest city. As the Darlington New Nuclear Project advances, it is strengthening energy security, creating high-skilled jobs, and positioning Ontario and Canada as global leaders in SMR deployment.”
– Erveina Gosalci
Founder and CEO, Canadian Association of Small Modular Reactors
“APPrO applauds OPG and the Province for the progress made on the Darlington SMR project. This precision lift represents the first foundation of a new nuclear reactor to be built in Ontario in decades. That precision, coupled with OPG’s proven project management ability and cost consciousness, are a testament to the skills that are being utilized for Ontario’s energy sector build-out. That build-out will provide clean energy to reliably fuel the Province’s economic development and prosperity for a generation.”
– Colin Anderson
President and CEO, Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO)
“This is a significant construction milestone for Ontario and for Canada’s nuclear supply chain. Installing a 2.1-million-pound basemat module with millimeter precision is the kind of work Ontario’s nuclear supply chain is built to deliver safely and reliably. As the Darlington SMR project advances, OCNI members are ready to support on-time delivery while strengthening Ontario’s clean electricity supply and economic competitiveness.”
– Ivette Vera-Perez
President and CEO, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI)
“This construction milestone at the Darlington new nuclear site marks a significant step forward for Canada’s nuclear sector. As the first SMR under construction in the G7, it reinforces the role of nuclear energy in delivering the reliable and clean electricity needed to support economic growth and rising energy demand while also creating and sustaining high-paying, long term jobs. It also reflects the strength of Canada’s domestic supply chain and workforce in delivering complex energy infrastructure.”
– George Christidis
President & Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Nuclear Association
Additional Resources
Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power
Media Contacts
Noah Mawji
Minister Lecce’s Office
Noah.Mawji@ontario.ca
Robert Quartarone
Communications Branch
Robert.Quartarone@ontario.ca
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