At a glance
- OPG and its project partners successfully lifted a key foundation piece for the G7’s first Small Modular Reactor (SMR).
- The massive Basemat module will serve as the foundation of the reactor building.
- OPG continues to progress construction of the first SMR unit at Darlington Nuclear.
At the Darlington New Nuclear Project site, OPG has safely completed a monumental lift for the construction of the G7’s first SMR.
On April 22, a heavy crawler crane lifted the close to 2.1-million-pound Basemat module, which serves as the foundation of the reactor building, into the newly excavated reactor building shaft, 35 metres below ground.
With a diameter of 37 metres, the Basemat is the common foundation for the integrated reactor building and containment structure.
| Once completed, OPG’s planned fleet of four BWRX-300 SMRs will produce enough low-carbon, reliable electricity to power about 1.2 million homes. |
It’s the first time in Canada a foundation for a reactor building was assembled modularly – putting the “M” in SMR – as the giant component was fabricated, welded, and put together in one piece before being lifted into place.
Key to its construction were components made of Diaphragm Plate Steel Composite, an innovative and ground-breaking modular steel-concrete material. OPG and its partners, with the help of skilled trades from across Ontario, produced these modules.
With the foundation set down, the project team will now look to build up the first SMR unit – Canada’s first new nuclear build in more than 30 years.
Reaching these milestones speaks to the momentum we're building from the way we work together.Boris VulanovicSenior Vice President of SMR Execution, OPG
Milestones keep coming
Already, it’s been a busy year full of important milestones achieved for the DNNP.
The project team has completed all shaft excavation work. Two shafts will support the construction of the deep-water intake serving all four planned SMRs. The third provides the foundation for the first SMR.
Additionally, the project recently completed two warehouse facilities, providing the equivalent of one-and-a-half football fields of storage and laydown space for materials.
In late March, OPG also submitted its application for a Licence to Operate the first SMR unit to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, marking a significant milestone for the project.
“Reaching these milestones speaks to the momentum we're building from the way we work together,” said Boris Vulanovic, OPG’s Senior Vice President of SMR Execution. “Our continued focus on safety, quality and continuous improvement ensures the project is moving forward, and positions us well for the next phase of work.”
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