Canada’s upcoming nuclear expansion project will rely on foreign suppliers, including the United States, for fuel enrichment and fabrication. This decision contrasts with the historical practice of Canada’s Candu reactor system, which utilized a mostly domestic nuclear supply chain due to the country being the second-largest uranium producer globally.
The construction of the first of four planned BWRX-300 small modular reactors in Clarington, Ont., known as the Darlington New Nuclear Project, has commenced. These American-Japanese-designed reactors use low-enriched uranium, in contrast to Canada’s Candu reactors, which use domestically produced fuel from natural uranium without enrichment.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) expects the initial BWRX-300 reactor at Darlington to be operational by the end of 2030, with the other three planned for the mid-2030s. Cameco, a company based in Saskatoon specializing in uranium mining and nuclear fuel, will mine uranium ore in Saskatchewan, convert it in Port Hope, Ont., and then send it to the United States for enrichment. Additionally, France’s Orano and Britain’s Urenco are listed by OPG as suppliers of enriched uranium, with an American company handling the fabrication of the final fuel assemblies.
Experts suggest that this shift in nuclear strategy contradicts the original principles of Canada’s nuclear program. The move to rely on imported enriched uranium raises concerns about energy sovereignty and exposes Canada to potential geopolitical risks.
Ontario’s decision to opt for a foreign reactor was driven by the absence of a ready Canadian alternative capable of generating electricity at the required scale. The American-Japanese BWRX-300 was selected as it was deemed the most advanced option and offered reduced risks associated with constructing a unique reactor.
While multiple enrichment suppliers may mitigate risks, concerns remain about potential disruptions to the fuel supply chain. The federal government believes that foreign enrichment poses minimal short to medium-term supply risks. However, to eliminate reliance on foreign suppliers, Canada would need to establish its own uranium-enrichment industry, a costly and complex endeavor.