A conceptual rendering of the BWRX-300 SMR plant by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy.
“Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine has created a humanitarian disaster and heightened the need for European energy independence,” said Todd Smith. “The world is watching Ontario as we deploy the world’s first grid-scale small modular reactor to support our growing economy. Ontario is ready to support our allies, leveraging the expertise of our world-class nuclear operators and exporting products and services from our highly-skilled nuclear supply chain, to support their deployment of SMRs as a clean and reliable source of electricity.”
Ontario’s delegation also met with other government representatives and energy companies to showcase the province’s strengths as a world-leader in nuclear energy. This included meetings with Romanian Minister of Energy Virgil Popescu, Estonia’s Minister of Environment Madis Kallas, Estonia’s Deputy Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources Timo Tatar, Czech Republic’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tomáš Ehler, Fermi Energia, Vattenfall Group and Latvenergo.
Minister Smith also visited Onkalo, Finland’s deep geological repository for the final permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Minister Smith was joined by Laurie Swami, the President and CEO of Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization which has a plan for the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel, similar to Finland’s approach and aligned with international best practice.