Basemat installation at Darlington signals major step in Canada’s nuclear expansion
CLARINGTON, Ont. —
Ontario has completed a critical construction milestone on what is set to become the first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) in the G7, underscoring the province’s push to strengthen energy security and economic resilience through nuclear power.
At the CNA2026 Conference, Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce announced that a 2.1-million-pound basemat module for Unit 1 at the Darlington New Nuclear Project has been successfully installed. The operation marks the first foundation laid for a new nuclear reactor in Ontario in more than three decades.
The precision lift — comparable to hoisting more than three Airbus A380 aircraft — was carried out using one of the world’s largest crawler cranes, placing the structure with millimetre accuracy.
Once completed, the four-unit Darlington SMR project is expected to generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 1.2 million homes.
Economic impact and domestic supply chain expansion
The provincial government framed the milestone as both an infrastructure achievement and an economic driver. The SMR project is projected to contribute $38.5 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next 65 years while supporting an estimated 3,800 long-term, high-skilled jobs.
“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.”
More than 100 Canadian companies are now part of the SMR supply chain, including newly awarded contracts to firms in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. Notable Ontario contracts include Walters Group, Marmon Industrial Water, Tractel and Hooper Welding, covering structural steel, water systems, reactor enclosures and tank components.
The government has committed to ensuring at least 80 per cent of project spending remains within Ontario, reinforcing domestic manufacturing and supply capabilities.
Construction advances and national collaboration
According to Ontario Power Generation (OPG), construction is now moving beyond foundational work toward vertical development of the reactor structure and internal systems.
“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.”
The project is also part of broader interprovincial collaboration, with Ontario working alongside utilities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Yukon and Nova Scotia on potential SMR deployment.
Strategic role in Ontario’s energy plan
The SMR initiative is central to Ontario’s “Energy for Generations” strategy, aimed at ensuring long-term electricity reliability amid population growth and industrial demand.
Provincial and federal governments have jointly committed significant funding, including $1 billion through the Building Ontario Fund and $2 billion from the Canada Growth Fund.
Beyond energy production, the project is positioned as a catalyst for Indigenous partnerships, with discussions ongoing with Williams Treaties First Nations regarding potential equity participation — a first for nuclear energy projects in Canada.
Industry and political leaders highlight milestone significance
Stakeholders across government and industry emphasized the broader implications of the basemat installation for Canada’s nuclear sector and economic outlook.
“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