Ontario’s Global Lead in Small Nuclear Plants

Ontario Canada’s government is all in on nuclear technology as it
stakes out a global leadership position in small modular reactors
(SMRs). In this episode of Grid Talk, host Marty Rosenberg talks
with Todd Smith who is the Ontario Energy Minister.


Rapid population and economic growth, coupled with the province’s
long reliance on nuclear technology, prompted its decision to
pursue SMRs. 


“We felt very comfortable in moving forward with the technology
we’d chosen which is a 300-megawatt boiling water reactor from GE
Hitachi,” said Smith. “We’re partnering with U.S. Technologies on
this and other U.S. and international partners to develop the
first-of-the-kind SMR, small modular reactor, here in Ontario.”


“It’s baseload power, it’s there when you need it, it’s there and
able to be relied on 365 days a year.”


The province expects to add five million residents over the next
decade.


“That’s going to require a lot of electricity.” 


Todd Smith has been the Ontario Energy Minister since June of
2021. Smith has served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for
more than a decade. He is a graduate of Loyalist College.