Canada — Nuclear Fleet Overview

Operating Reactors (database): 1 tracked in platform Total Tracked Capacity: see fleet summary Under Construction (database): 2 Planned: 9 Regulatory Body: CNSC (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission)

Fleet Summary

Canada's nuclear industry is a cornerstone of its energy mix, with 19 operational power reactors primarily based on the CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) design, providing approximately 13.6 GWe of capacity and meeting about 15% of the country's electricity demand. The fleet is concentrated in Ontario, with additional units in Quebec and New Brunswick, and has been operational since the 1960s, showcasing a long history of civilian nuclear power development. Current efforts focus on life extensions for existing reactors, such as at Bruce and Darlington, alongside ambitious plans for small modular reactors (SMRs) to support decarbonization and remote energy needs. The trajectory indicates a blend of maintaining legacy infrastructure while pioneering advanced reactor technologies.

Policy & Outlook

Canada's nuclear policy emphasizes clean energy and innovation, with strong federal support for nuclear as a key component of its net-zero emissions goal by 2050, as outlined in the 2022 Critical Minerals Strategy and the Green Bond Framework. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) oversees a robust regulatory framework, ensuring safety while facilitating SMR development through streamlined licensing processes. Significant investments are directed toward SMRs, with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) leading the deployment of GE Hitachi's BWRX-300 at Darlington, targeting completion by the late 2020s, alongside other planned SMR and microreactor projects across the country. Legislation like the Impact Assessment Act integrates environmental considerations into nuclear project approvals, balancing growth with sustainability.

Key Sites

• Bruce Nuclear Generating Station (Ontario): Located on Lake Huron, Bruce is one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world, with 8 CANDU reactors generating over 6.5 GWe, and is undergoing a major refurbishment program to extend operational life to the 2060s.
• Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (Ontario): Situated east of Toronto, Darlington hosts 4 CANDU reactors (around 3.5 GWe) and is the site for Canada’s first SMR project, a 300 MWe BWRX-300, with construction underway for a late-2020s completion.
• Chalk River Laboratories (Ontario): Operated by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), this historic site housed the now-shutdown NRU reactor and remains a hub for nuclear research, with plans for a 5 MWe eVinci microreactor to demonstrate advanced technology.

Historical Context

Canada's nuclear journey began in the 1940s with research at Chalk River Laboratories, leading to the commissioning of the first CANDU reactor at Rolphton, Ontario, in 1962, marking the start of its civilian nuclear power program. The CANDU design, utilizing natural uranium and heavy water, became a national hallmark, with exports to countries like India and South Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. A notable incident occurred in 1952 at Chalk River, where a partial meltdown in the NRX reactor was safely managed, becoming one of the first major nuclear accidents studied globally, though it had no public health impact. The industry has since prioritized safety and innovation, evolving from research to a mature power generation sector.

Operating Reactors (Platform Database)

Reactor	Site	Type	Capacity (MWe)	Operator	Commercial Operation
McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR)	—	Pool	—	McMaster University	—

Under Construction (Platform Database)

Reactor	Site	Type	Capacity (MWe)	Expected Operation
Darlington SMR (BWRX-300)	—	BWR-SMR	300	TBD
BWRX-300	—	Boiling water reactor	300	TBD

Sources

• IAEA PRIS — Canada — IAEA Power Reactor Information System
• WNA Country Profile — World Nuclear Association
• CNSC (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) — National nuclear regulator

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Enriched by Grok · Second Atomic Age Nuclear Wiki · 2026-05-10