Ontario Lands New Nuclear Opportunities with Trade Mission to Poland and Estonia
November 27, 2024
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:
- Starting pre-development work at Bruce Power to site the first large-scale nuclear build in over three decades which could power up to the equivalent of 4.8 million homes.
- Conducting site preparation and planning for four small modular reactors as part of the Darlington New Nuclear Project, which could power the equivalent of 1.2 million homes.
- Supporting OPG’s plan to proceed with the next steps towards refurbishing the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, which could power the equivalent of two million homes.
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.
