Lisa McBride
Country Leader, Small Modular Reactors, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
GE Hitachi and the Province of Ontario are leading the charge to develop the first commercial, grid-scale small modular reactors in the western world.
“Nuclear energy is clean, safe, and reliable,” says Lisa McBride, Country Leader of GE Hitachi’s SMR Canada business. “It provides a constant, 24/7 energy supply that’s not dependent on weather conditions or fuel supply limitations. As Canada works toward its net-zero goals, nuclear energy must be part of the conversation.”
Nuclear energy is indeed critical to Canada’s net-zero strategy — especially the use of small modular reactors (SMRs). These compact nuclear reactors offer a flexible, cost-effective way to generate clean energy. Their modular design makes them easily transportable and scalable, ensuring adaptability to various energy demands and easier integration into existing power grids. And while SMRs are small in size, they pack a big punch when it comes to economic and environmental benefits.
A homegrown opportunity…
In partnership with Ontario Power Generation, GE Hitachi is currently advancing the first of four planned BWRX-300 reactors at Darlington. Known as the Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP), the first reactor is anticipated to be operational by 2029. Early site preparation work was recently completed on time and on budget. “We’re working with our partners at Aecon and AtkinsRéalis on the project, and it’s the first SMR among the G7 countries,” says McBride.
The DNNP really sets the stage for Ontario to be a leader in the nuclear industry.
As North America’s first commercial, grid-scale SMR, the DNNP will create opportunities for local businesses and generate hundreds of jobs during construction and operation. “The jobs that’ll go into a project of this nature are highly technical, highly skilled jobs — everything from engineering to project management to skilled trades,” says McBride. “The supply chain in Ontario plays an important role in our project as well, bringing benefits back to the province. Our goal across the project is to have as much content as possible provided by Ontario businesses, which will also contribute to the local economy.”
…with global opportunities
The project also presents significant export opportunities, given GE Hitachi’s strategy for expanding SMR deployment globally. “The DNNP really sets the stage for Ontario to be a leader in the nuclear industry,” says McBride. “But when we think about our global deployment in countries such as Poland, the U.K., Estonia, Czech Republic, and the U.S., our partners in Ontario will come with us on that journey when it comes to the supply chain. So there will be a significant export opportunity for supply chain partners.”
GE Hitachi’s new qualified supplier group is one of a series of initiatives the organization has launched to help build out its domestic supply chain, ensuring exciting opportunities in global deployments for its partners. BWXT Canada Ltd. was the first company to join the group.
Ontario has a longstanding tradition of innovation in nuclear energy — and some of the cleanest air in the world as a result — and GE Hitachi likewise shares a reputation of excellence in the field. “We’ve been in the nuclear business since 1955,” says McBride. “We have 67 reactors deployed in 10 countries globally. We’ve been doing this for a really long time. It’s very exciting for us to be part of this next chapter of new nuclear technology.”
It’s an energizing time moving forward for this dynamic team, leveraging decades of experience to lead the way toward a greener, cleaner future.
Learn more at gevernova.com/nuclear.
