Ontario Fosters New Opportunities with Trade Mission to Czech Republic, Poland and Estonia

Agreements with ČEZ and Synthos Green Energy will see Ontario companies support deployment of small modular reactors in Europe

November 02, 2022

TORONTO – The Ontario government has concluded a successful trade mission to Czech Republic, Poland and Estonia to discuss Small Modular Reactors (SMR), strengthen existing relationships and support our allies in Europe looking to build their energy independence. This mission, led by Todd Smith, Minister of Energy, included the signing of new agreements with major European energy companies ČEZ and Synthos Green Energy. Minister Smith also highlighted export opportunities for Ontario’s nuclear supply chain at the International Atomic Energy Association International Ministerial Conference in Washington D.C.

“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.”

In Prague, Minister Smith joined Petr Třešňák, Czech Republic’s Deputy Minister of Industry Trade at Canada House for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Czech Republic-based ČEZ. Under the MOU, OPG and ČEZ will share information related to the deployment of new nuclear projects, with the aim of reducing financial, technical and schedule risk to both parties on their respective future projects.

While in Poland, Minister Smith joined Polish Undersecretary of State Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński to witness the signing of a Master Services Agreement between Laurentis Energy Partners and Polish energy company, Synthos Green Energy to leverage Ontario expertise to support the development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors in Poland. This builds on an agreement signed last year between GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, BWXT Canada and Synthos Green Energy, for BWXT Canada to build key components here in Ontario, for SMRs in Poland.

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.

In Washington D.C., Minister Smith attended the International Atomic Energy Association International Ministerial Conference, alongside leaders of Canada’s nuclear industry to highlight how Ontario’s expertise in nuclear energy can be exported globally. During his trip Minister Smith met with X-energy, who earlier this year announced a collaboration with Ontario Power Generation to pursue opportunities that will support industrial and manufacturing companies in Ontario and across Canada.


Quick Facts

  • The 2021 agreement between GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, BWXT Canada and Synthos Green Energy represents approximately $1 billion in contracts for BWXT Canada and could see them manufacture a wide range of products including reactor pressure vessels, reactor internals, fuel handling systems and other key components. This would support hundreds of jobs at BWXT’s Ontario facilities for a period of ten years.
  • The Darlington site is the only site in Canada currently licensed for a new nuclear build with an accepted environmental assessment and Site Preparation Licence.
  • In December 2021 OPG selected the BWRX-300 small modular reactor for the Darlington new nuclear site.
  • A 2020 study undertaken by the Conference Board of Canada shows strong economic benefit to Ontario from construction and 60 years of operation of a single SMR facility in the province. Direct, indirect and spin-off related employment would result in an annual average of approximately: 700 jobs during project development; 1,600 jobs during manufacturing and construction; 200 jobs during operations; and 160 jobs during decommissioning.

Quotes

“Ontario Power Generation is a world-class nuclear operator, with decades of experience in providing safe, clean, reliable nuclear power. Working together with entities like ČEZ, we can leverage our combined experience to develop and build the new technology needed to power the future and meet our climate goals.”

– Ken Hartwick
Ontario Power Generation President and CEO

“Based on Ontario’s experience with the BWRX-300 project to date, Laurentis is well positioned to provide expertise and support for SMR development in Poland.”

– Dominique Minière
President of Laurentis Energy Partners


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