Ontario awards $176M in contracts to build G7’s first small modular reactor

The Government of Ontaio announced the awarding of $176 million in contracts to local manufacturers to advance construction of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP), where the G7’s first small modular reactor (SMR) is being built.

Contracts have been awarded to 14 GTHA and two Eastern Ontario companies supplying critical components, including pumps, transformers and specialized steel.

“By being first in the G7 to build small modular reactors, Ontario is securing a first-mover advantage that translates into real contracts and good-paying jobs,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Ontario industries are emerging at the centre of the global nuclear build-out, and this leadership is delivering wins for Canada’s economy and vital contracts for Canadian businesses.”

Included in the 16 contracts announced, Oakville-based Hooper Welding is supplying steel for structural modules used to build the DNNP, while Toronto-based St. Mary’s Cement is supplying concrete and operating a high-density concrete batch plant for the project.

Gillam Construction Group in Carp will receive nearly $35 million to construct the DNNP Administration Building, creating 100 new good-paying jobs, while Mansteel Rebar in Pembroke will receive $31 million to fabricate, supply and install reinforcing steel for five of the plant’s core buildings.

“Gillam Construction Group is incredibly proud to provide construction services to the Darlington New Nuclear Project through the delivery of its new Administration Building,” said Marcus Gillam, CEO, Gillam Construction Group. “We are honoured to play a part in this generational project that will provide clean, safe and reliable energy to Ontarians for generations to come.”

“The first-of-a-kind Darlington New Nuclear Project is powering Ontario’s future. By building the G7’s first small modular reactor, we are creating thousands of high-value jobs, strengthening our industrial base, supporting businesses in communities across the province, and cementing Ontario’s place as a global nuclear leader,” said Nicolle Butcher, president and CEO, OPG.

The Darlington New Nuclear Project is No. 2 on ReNew Canada’s 2026 Top100 Projects report.

The 12 recipients include:

• Northern Transformer, based in Maple, has been awarded a contract for $4 million to provide power transformers essential for increasing the voltage of electricity produced by the reactor, supporting good-paying jobs in the region.
• Curtiss-Wright Nuclear Canada, based in Newmarket, has been awarded an $8.9 million contract to provide airlocks, specialized entry systems that allow workers and equipment to safely move in and out of the facility, supporting good-paying jobs in the region.
• Promation, based in Oakville, has been awarded a contract for $3.9 million to provide a Fine Motion Control Rod Drive (FMCRD) platform, creating four new good-paying jobs in the region.
• Smith & Long, based in Markham, has been awarded a contract for $14.6 million to provide temporary and permanent electrical power systems to support construction of the DNNP, creating seven new good-paying jobs in the region.
• WillScot, based in Gormley, has been awarded a contract for $10.7 million to provide a construction island trailer complex to support on-site teams working to deliver the DNNP, creating 25 new good-paying jobs in the region.
• Aquatec, based in Maple, has been awarded a contract for $1.7 million to provide wastewater treatment services for the DNNP, supporting good-paying jobs in the region.
• Armstrong Fluid Technology, based in Toronto, has been awarded a contract for $3.9 million to provide pumps and pumphouse enclosure for the DNNP, supporting good-paying jobs in the region.
• ASI Marine, based in Hamilton, has been awarded a contract for $9.2 million to assist with tunnel-boring machine operations, supporting good-paying jobs in the region.
• Clyde Union Canada (Celeros Flow Technology), based in Burlington, has been awarded a contract for $300,000 to supply a pump and pump motor for the DNNP, creating 15 new good-paying jobs in the region.
• Arkbro Industries, based in Mississauga, has been awarded a contract for $1.6 million to supply a gantry tower for the transformer yard at the DNNP, sustaining good-paying jobs in the region.

Construction continues to advance at OPG’s DNNP, with major milestones achieved, including the placement of the 2.1-million-pound reactor basement, the first new nuclear foundation laid in Canada in more than 30 years. Work is also progressing on the reactor and turbine buildings, as well as the infrastructure required to support all four planned SMR units.

Featured image: (OPG)