Ontario is exporting its nuclear energy expertise to Europe with a new partnership aimed at deploying small modular reactors (SMRs) in Belgium, announced today at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the Belgian Nuclear Forum signed a letter of intent to explore using Ontario-made SMRs to support Belgium’s nuclear restart program, enhancing energy independence and global clean energy leadership.
“Ontario is proud to lead in safe, reliable, and clean nuclear technology,” said Minister Lecce. “This partnership builds on our global reputation as a trusted operator, with SMR projects already underway in Estonia, Poland, and Romania.”
The agreement highlights Ontario’s ongoing nuclear expansion at home, including refurbishment of the province’s CANDU reactors and the Darlington New Nuclear Project. The Darlington site will host four SMRs, generating up to 3,700 highly-skilled jobs and injecting $500 million annually into Ontario’s economy. Over 65 years, the project is expected to contribute $38.5 billion to Canada’s GDP.
Ontario’s nuclear sector is also creating new markets for the province’s supply chain while positioning Canada as a global energy superpower, with over 80,000 jobs during construction and 64,000 during operations across domestic projects.
The province says, for communities near Darlington and across Ontario, the SMR expansion represents both economic growth and leadership in clean, reliable nuclear energy.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
