Canada’s upcoming nuclear expansion will see the initial reactors relying on foreign sources, including the United States, for fuel enrichment and fabrication. This shift marks a departure from the traditional Candu reactor system, where Canada primarily managed its nuclear supply chain domestically for over 50 years. Ontario has commenced construction on the first of four planned BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Clarington, Ont. Unlike Candu reactors that use domestically produced natural uranium, the American-Japanese-designed BWRX-300 operates on low-enriched uranium.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) anticipates connecting the first BWRX-300 at Darlington to the grid by the end of 2030, with three more to follow in the mid-2030s. Suppliers like Cameco, a Saskatoon-based uranium mining and fuel company, will mine uranium ore in Saskatchewan, convert it in Port Hope, Ont., and then send it to the U.S. for enrichment. France’s Orano and Britain’s Urenco are additional enriched uranium suppliers, while an American company will handle the manufacturing of finished fuel assemblies in the United States.
Experts note that this shift contradicts the foundational principles of Canada’s nuclear program, which aimed to have an all-Canadian fuel supply chain to avoid reliance on foreign sources. By depending on imported enriched uranium, Canada risks potential disruptions in its nuclear fuel supply during geopolitical disputes.
Speaking at a recent news conference, Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce explained that the province opted for a foreign reactor due to the absence of a viable Canadian alternative capable of generating electricity on the required scale. While Canada is developing a new domestic reactor, the Candu Monark, it is not suitable for Ontario’s SMR project.
Despite spreading work among various suppliers in the U.S., Britain, and France to create a robust supply chain, Ontario still lacks the capability to perform enrichment and fabrication for the BWRX-300 domestically. This decision to rely on foreign sources for enrichment raises concerns about potential vulnerabilities in the supply chain.
Canada could potentially eliminate its dependence on foreign suppliers by establishing its own uranium-enrichment industry. While Ontario is open to discussions on this matter, the final decision rests with the federal government. Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are also exploring BWRX-300 technology, while Alberta is developing a nuclear roadmap that includes potential SMR deployment.