Canada's SMR Program Shifts to Foreign Enriched Uranium Supply

Canada is moving ahead with its Darlington New Nuclear Project in Clarington, Ontario, building four BWRX‑300 small modular reactors (SMRs). The first unit is slated for grid connection by the end of 2030, with the remaining three expected in the mid‑2030s.

Unlike the historic CANDU reactors that used domestically sourced natural uranium, the new light‑water SMRs require low‑enriched uranium. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) plans to source the enriched fuel from the United States, France’s Orano and Britain’s Urenco, while an American firm will fabricate the final fuel assemblies. Cameco will mine the uranium in Saskatchewan and convert it in Port Hope before it is shipped abroad for enrichment.

Experts warn the reliance on foreign enrichment facilities creates geopolitical vulnerability and undermines Canada’s long‑standing energy sovereignty. York University professor Mark Winfield cautioned that “relying on imported enriched uranium gives foreign governments the leverage to disrupt fuel supplies during a political dispute.” Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce defended the approach, noting the modest fuel volume required and the diversification of suppliers to mitigate risk.