Ontario Lands New Nuclear Opportunities with Trade Mission to Poland and Estonia
Province also providing Ukraine with critical equipment to support its electrical grid
November 15, 2024
Energy and Electrification
Table of Contents
- Content
- Quick Facts
- Quotes
ONTARIO – The Ontario government has concluded a successful trade mission to Poland and Estonia to strengthen existing relationships and showcase how Ontario and its nuclear supply chain can help countries around the world meet increasing energy demands. This mission, led by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification, helped secure an up to $40 million agreement between Laurentis Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, and Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE).
“The world is watching Ontario as we lead the largest expansion of nuclear energy on the continent to help meet surging demand for more energy,” said Minister Lecce. “Countries around the world are looking to replicate this success story, including our affordable and reliable nuclear fleet. That’s why our government is exporting its world-class nuclear expertise to create jobs back home while supporting Europe’s energy security as we make the case to decouple dependence from the Putin regime. We have successfully signed deals that set the stage for Ontario’s nuclear expansion into Europe that will generate revenue and create new, good-paying jobs for Ontario workers.”
In Warsaw, Poland Minister Lecce joined Rafal Kasprow, Chief Executive Officer for OSGE for the signing of a new agreement that will see Laurentis Energy Partners support the deployment of small modular reactors in Poland. Under the agreement, which is valued at up to $40 million, Laurentis will support the completion of a Preliminary Safety Analysis Report, a comprehensive study required by Poland’s National Atomic Energy Agency.
Minister Lecce also attended the ReBuild Ukraine Conference while in Poland. Minister Lecce shared that Ontario’s energy sector will be providing nearly $5 million in energy equipment to Ukraine including critical equipment for the electrical grid itself, such as transformers and replacement materials.
In Tallinn, Estonia Minister Lecce joined Kalev Kallemets, Chief Executive Office for Fermi Energia for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Laurentis Energy Partners to explore opportunities relating to small modular reactor (SMR) development in Estonia.
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 Marzena Czarnecka, Minister of Industry for Poland, Ahti Kuningas, Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Industry, and Antti Tooming, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Climate and Energy for Estonia.
These opportunities are only possible because of projects underway as part of the government’s vision for meeting rising energy demand, Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future, which includes:
Quick Facts
- Orlen Synthos Green Energy has a goal to deploy GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300, a 300 megawatt (MW) SMR design – following Ontario’s lead which is planning to deploy the first ever BWRX-300 SMR project in the world at Darlington.
- Estonia’s Fermi Energia has also selected the BWRX-300 for potential deployment and specifically cited Ontario’s SMR project at Darlington as a factor in their decision.
- In April 2024, Ontario welcomed an $80 million investment in nuclear manufacturing in Cambridge by BWXT Canada which will create 250 new jobs. This investment is the direct result of the government’s commitment to nuclear energy.
- In December 2021, BWXT Canada signed an agreement, valued at up to $1 billion, to build key components in Ontario to support the deployment of Small Modular Reactors in Poland.
Quotes
“PSAR is one of the key elements of the whole licensing process for a nuclear power plant. By having such experienced partners involved in the project, we are confident that OSGE will deliver to the Polish nuclear authority a comprehensive report that meets all requirements of the Polish law. We are launching work on the first PSAR related to small modular reactors in the EU. This is a significant milestone in the SMR deployment process, and I believe it paves the way for bolder actions in other European countries, as well.”
– Rafał Kasprów
CEO of OSGE
“Laurentis is excited to work with OSGE to take the next steps to establish the feasibility of small modular reactor deployment in Poland. As a company with experience and expertise in new nuclear services from conception to execution, including regulatory support, we are uniquely positioned to help OSGE progress its project to enable Poland to achieve its clean energy ambitions.”
– Jason Van Wart
President and CEO of Laurentis
“BWXT welcomes the Ontario Government’s recent announcement supporting nuclear energy in Poland, Ukraine and Estonia. This funding is an investment in our collective clean energy future that will drive growth, innovation, and collaboration within the global nuclear industry. As an international nuclear supply chain leader, BWXT looks forward to opportunities to share our expertise and work alongside industry partners both at home and abroad to maximize this funding’s potential.”
– John MacQuarrie
President, BWXT Commercial Operations
“OCNI is proud to support ReBuild Ukraine, where Canada’s nuclear expertise is making a global impact. With Ontario’s $5M donation of energy equipment to Ukraine and a $40M nuclear energy agreement in Poland, these efforts highlight the power of connection, capacity, global reach, and advocacy. Our ongoing collaboration with Ukrainian utility EnergoAtom further reinforces the critical role of Canada’s sustainable nuclear supply chain in advancing decarbonization and building a resilient, emission-free energy future.”
– Brian Fehrenbach
Interim President & CEO, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI)
“These substantial new investments and agreements underscore Ontario’s commitment to supporting Poland and the wider Central and Eastern European region, reflecting the strong values shared by Ontario, Canada, and Poland, as well as a clear understanding of the challenging geopolitical realities we face as friends and allies. Canada’s Polish community was proud to support Minister Lecce’s timely and important visit to help strengthen Poland’s energy security through SMR deployment, which will create jobs that will benefit both countries.”
– Dominic Roszak
President, Canadian Polish Congress
“The Ontario Government’s $5 million donation in energy equipment significantly compliments the work done by CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal on behalf of Canadians, delivering essential power and energy resources to Ukrainian communities impacted by Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine. Through the incredible generosity of Canadians and specifically Ontarians, $2.3 million has been raised towards preparing Ukrainians for winter. This contribution further strengthens our efforts, as we prepare to launch our Power and Energy campaign on November 28th supporting essential services Ukrainians depend on. We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for their commitment to supporting Ukraine.”
– Valeriy Kostyuk
Executive Director of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation
“As Russia continues its brutal assault on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure in an attempt to make Ukraine unliveable, assisting the Ukrainian people with the delivery of energy equipment is paramount. We are thank the Government of Ontario for this crucial assistance. We call on the all of Canada’s provinces and territories to do the same. It is imperative that Canada and allied governments increase the delivery of air defence systems to Ukraine to protect Ukrainian civilians from Russia’s missile, rocket and drone strikes.”
– Alexandra Chyczij
National President, Ukrainian Canadian Congress
“Just as Ontario’s Polish community has contributed so much to our province, Ontario is now well-positioned to support Poland in its transition to clean, sustainable energy, and to benefit from all the investment and jobs this will generate. This exciting new agreement also highlights the potential of international cooperation on energy, as we continue to work together with our allies towards European energy security and independence from Russia, and plan for the future recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.”
– Rudy Cuzzetto
Parliamentary Assistant to Minister Lecce
“From the point of view of Canadian-Polish strategic and economic relations, Minister Stephen Lecce’s recent visit to Warsaw, Poland underscored the strength of the relationship built on the alignment of values and objectives in leading the world towards the adoption of new, safe and cost-effective nuclear technologies such as the SMR projects being developed in Darlington, Ontario and various locations in Poland (EU). As Minister Lecce pointed out at a signing ceremony and press conference in Warsaw on 14 November, 2024, the cooperation of the two countries on this and other renewable energy initiatives leads the way not only in North America, but also in the European Union. Both countries share a commitment to technological leadership and excellence, and are well on the way to assuring a future of safe and affordable energy for their citizens.”
– Bernhard L. Otterstein
President, Polish Canadian Chamber of Commerce
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Media Contacts
Isha Chaudhuri
Minister’s Office
isha.chaudhuri@ontario.ca
Natasha Demetriades
Communications Branch
Natasha.Demetriades@ontario.ca
416-327-3855