Darlington SMR to feature Arabelle Solutions turbine gear
The company will supply a small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear steam turbine, an air-cooled TOPAIR generator, and associated heat exchanger for the project.
"We are proud to be delivering the main turbine hall equipment for the G7's first SMR project," said Arabelle Solutions CEO Catherine Cornand. "Leveraging our global engineering expertise, we have optimised our steam turbine generator modules for the SMR environment, underlining our strategy of providing turbine island solutions for any reactor type."
Cedric Couffignal, head of New Build at Arabelle Solutions, added: "The 300 MWe-class steam turbine generator has been specifically engineered to operate under the steam conditions of the BWRX-300 SMR and the team has optimised the turbine island's steam and water loop to enhance overall plant efficiency and maximise electrical output."
The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy's (GVH's) 1500 MW ESBWR boiling water reactor.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued a construction licence for the first BWRX-300 at the Darlington SMR project in April, and the government of Ontario gave its approval for construction to begin on 8 May. It will be the first new nuclear build in Ontario in more than three decades and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) said it was set to be the first commercial grid-scale SMR in North America, with an in-service target date of 2030.
The supply chain for the turbine hall will include specialist providers from Canada, including Ontario-based Chemetics Inc, which will manufacture components for the heat exchangers.
In total, the full-speed steam turbine generator shaftline for the Darlington SMR will be 34 metres long and includes a single-flow high-pressure module and two double-flow low-pressure modules to improve cycle efficiency. It will be coupled with a TOPAIR generator rated up to 370 MVA for the 60 Hz Canadian grid.
EDF completed its acquisition of a portion of GE Vernova's nuclear conventional islands technology and services, including its Arabelle steam turbines, in May last year. The transaction included the manufacturing of conventional island equipment for new nuclear power plants as well as related maintenance and upgrade activities for existing nuclear plants outside of the Americas. EDF's acquisition of the business - at that time, known as GE Steam Power - was first announced in early 2022 and the final agreement was signed in the November of that year.
Employing around 3,300 people, Arabelle Solutions supplies equipment for new nuclear power plants and also maintains and upgrades equipment in existing nuclear power plants. Its steam turbines will be used in particular in the EPR, EPR2 and SMR reactor series, EDF said.
OPG, OSGE enhance cooperation on SMR deployment in Poland
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The agreement was signed in Warsaw by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) President and CEO Nicolle Butcher and Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) Vice-Presidents Jacek Drózd and Bartosz Fijałkowski. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives of Poland's Ministry of Industry: Wojciech Wrochna – Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure and Paweł Gajda – Director of the Nuclear Energy Department.
The signed document will facilitate close cooperation between OPG and OSGE, enabling both companies to collaborate on a framework for the commercial development and operation of GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300 reactors in Poland. Under the agreement, OPG will provide pre-operational services, including site assessment, project management, and consulting services.
The agreement builds on a previous agreement announced by the companies in June 2023. That letter of intent was aimed at concluding future agreements under which OPG and its subsidiaries could provide operator services for SMR reactors to OSGE in connection with the deployment of SMRs in Poland and other European countries. The partnership would include a number of SMR-related activities including: development and deployment; operations and maintenance; operator training; commissioning; and regulatory support.
In November 2024, OPG subsidiary Laurentis Energy Partners signed an agreement with OSGE to support the preparation of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report for deploying GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300 in Poland. That agreement followed the signing of a Framework Agreement in 2022 between Laurentis and OSGE for the provision of services supporting the development and implementation of SMRs in Poland.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued a construction licence for the first BWRX-300 at OPG's Darlington SMR project in April, and the government of Ontario gave its approval for construction to begin on 8 May. It will be the first new nuclear build in Ontario in more than three decades and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) said it was set to be the first commercial grid-scale SMR in North America, with an in-service target date of 2030.
OSGE plans to deploy a fleet of the BWRX-300 reactors in Poland, with the first unit ready at the beginning of the next decade. For OSGE, OPG's Darlington SMR project is a reference project. In April 2023, OSGE named seven shortlisted locations for further geological surveys to site SMRs. The company has applied to the Polish government for a Decision in Principle on six of the sites. In February 2024, the General Director for Environmental Protection issued a decision defining the scope of the environmental report for the construction of a SMR in Stawy Monowskie in the Małopolska province.
"Our collaboration with Ontario Power Generation, the company building the first power plant with the BWRX-300 reactor – GE Vernova Hitachi technology – gives us greater confidence in the path to building BWRX-300 reactors in Poland," said Jacek Drózd, Vice President of the Management Board of OSGE. "We appreciate OPG's experience and expertise in the nuclear industry, as well as the progress made in building the first BWRX-300 reactor. At ORLEN Synthos Green Energy, we are determined to follow OPG's lead and provide safe, clean, and stable energy for our citizens and Polish industry."
OPG CEO Nicolle Butcher added: "With decades of safe nuclear power plant operation and our experience with SMRs, more and more entities are turning to OPG and Ontario as they look to expand nuclear power and enhance their energy security. We are honoured by the potential opportunity to help Poland build a fleet of small reactors, while also expanding our domestic nuclear supply chains and contributing to economic growth."
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