Clarington: Ontario awards $66M in Darlington nuclear contracts to Eastern Ontario firms

Two Eastern Ontario companies have been awarded contracts worth more than $66 million to advance construction of the G7's first small modular reactor (SMR) project at the Darlington new nuclear project in Clarington, the province announced on Monday, November 9.

Gillam Construction Group, based in Carp, will receive nearly $35 million to build the project's administration building, and the work is expected to create about 100 jobs, according to the province.

Mansteel Rebar, based in Pembroke, has received a $31-million contract to fabricate, supply and install reinforcing steel for five of the plant's main buildings. The province says the contract will support 100 jobs, with another 20 expected to be added during construction.

Ontario Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce announced the contracts at a press conference in Ottawa, saying they will contribute more than $66 million to Ontario's gross domestic product. "Ontario is taking decisive action to be a first mover in the Western World on small modular reactors," Lecce said.

Gillam Construction Group CEO Marcus Gillam said the company was proud to take part in the project. "We are honoured to play a part in this generational project that will provide clean, safe and reliable energy to Ontarians for generations to come," he said. Mansteel Rebar General Manager Allen Piddington said the contract would support Canadian manufacturing and local employment. "As a Canadian-owned and operated business, sourcing all of our reinforcing steel from local Canadian-based steel mills, we are proud to support Canadian jobs and manufacturing," he said.

The Darlington new nuclear project is being built at the Darlington nuclear generating station in Clarington and plans four small modular reactors. The first reactor is expected to cost about $7.7 billion, including shared infrastructure, with all four estimated at $20.9 billion. The first reactor is under construction and is expected to begin producing electricity by the end of 2030; when complete, the four units will produce 1,200 megawatts, enough to power about 1.2 million homes, according to the province.