Overview
Introduction
BWXT Canada has over 60 years of expertise and experience in the design, manufacturing, commissioning and service of nuclear power generation equipment. This includes steam generators, nuclear heat exchangers, nuclear reactor components, nuclear fuel and fuel components, critical plant components, parts and related plant services. BWXT Canada’s sister company, BWXT ITG Canada, Inc. provides its customers, who conduct life-saving medical procedures for patients around the world, the benefit of decades of experience in the development, manufacturing, packaging and delivery of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario, BWXT in Canada has approximately 1,400 employees at locations in Cambridge, Dundas, Peterborough, Toronto, Arnprior, Pickering, Port Elgin, Owen Sound, Kanata and Oakville, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia. BWXT Canada is a subsidiary of BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT).
At BWXT Canada, we take pride in our history of innovation and success. From our roots as a small foundry established in 1844 in Galt, Ontario, we have grown to become a world leader in the design, manufacture, construction, and service of commercial nuclear components.
Today, BWXT Canada is the only remaining heavy commercial nuclear component manufacturer in North America and operates a dedicated fuel fabrication facility and three manufacturing operations across Ontario. BWXT remains a key manufacturer and future excellence center for supplying SMR components, not only for Canada also for the global market.
Strategic Priority and Outlook
BWXT Canada has made and is continuing to make great contributions to the Candu refurbishment projects for Bruce Power, OPG, Embalse (Argentina) and the PWR Life Extension projects in US by designing and supplying critical nuclear components and providing services for these projects.
Through its continuous nuclear business operation in the last 60 years, BWXT Canada has retained the skills, knowledge and infrastructure to be ready for fabricating SMR fuel, fuel handling systems, reactor inspection and maintenance tooling, pressure vessels, steam generators, heat exchangers, reactor vessel closure heads, specialty piping, nuclear fuel and component storage containers, and other balance of plant equipment for SMR plants. It is imperative that BWXT Canada can retain these highly skilled and highly paid workers long-term if Canada wants to become a world leader in the SMR marketplace.
SMR is a popular modern design initiative but not a new concept. Over fifty years ago the BWXT (at the time Babcock & Wilcox Co. or B&W) maritime reactor program produced a number of reactor designs known as Consolidated Nuclear Steam Generators. One of these reactor designs was built, commissioned, and operated for many years. This was the reactor that was used in the German nuclear ship Otto Hahn. The Otto Hahn’s keel was laid in 1963 and launched in 1964. The reactor was installed afterward and taken critical in 1968.
The same innovative spirit that founded BWXT Canada remains a cornerstone of our success in North American and international markets. Today, we are North America’s largest manufacturer of heavy commercial nuclear components. We have supplied over 300 CANDU and PWR steam generators worldwide, as well as many other critical plant components. Our in-depth knowledge comes from over 60 years of experience in the design, manufacturing, commissioning and service of nuclear power generation equipment, and that will translate to the future success of executing the SMR Action Plan.
Our vision is that 1) BWXT Canada will provide its support along with other Canadian companies to make Canada as a Tier-One nuclear technology leader in the world by successfully bringing SMRs to the energy mix and enable SMR to play a key role in Canada and the world’s low-carbon future; 2) SMR deployment will help the Canadian nuclear industry to expand the supply portfolio not only for the Canadian market, but also to support export opportunities; and 3) SMR deployment will generate may highly skilled and high paying jobs in the area of high-tech innovation sectors and thus make a great contribution to the Canadian economy.
BWXT Canada endorses the Statement of Principles as attached for the commitment to action and seizing the SMR Canadian leadership in SMR opportunities.
Actions
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Supply chain transition strategy
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
BWXT01
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 37
ACTION
BWXT Canada needs to re-tool itself to support the Ontario refurbishment projects by investing in innovation, skilled labour and increasing capacity in terms physical and human capital. Many technical people at BWXT Canada have started engaged with a various SMR technologies to systematically establish an infrastructure to become an SMR OEM supplier to support the deployment of SMRs.
EXPECTED RESULTS
BWXT Canada is ready to take on SMR component/equipment design, manufacture for SMRs selected by utility or federal/provincial government.
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Initiatives to reduce SMR capital costs
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
BWXT02
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 38
ACTION
BWXT Canada has successfully competed in the international market for many international Candu and PWR nuclear projects. This is mainly due to 1) BWXT Canada has fully integrated facilities in Ontario in terms of nuclear component design, manufacture, delivery and services; 2) BWXT Canada has built a vertically integrated supply chain, being able to procure high-quality and cost competitive materials from global suppliers. It is imperative to ensure that the SMR design is manufacturable and cost effective. Thus, BWXT Canada will apply the same principles and work with some SMR vendors and will continue to achieve the economic goals established.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Ensure that the final SMR design is manufacturable and cost effective.
- SMR can be fully built in a manufactured facility, it can be shipped with a minimum cost, and with a minimum installation cost.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Promoting diversity in the future SMR workforce
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
BWXT03
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 39
ACTION
BWXT Canada is committed to diversity in our workplaces. Expanded business growth is providing new opportunities to grow and strengthen our internal team, partners and suppliers to ensure that designated group participation levels, including that of Indigenous peoples, reflect all of the communities in which we operate and conduct our business.
BWXT Canada is a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and was recently granted Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Committed status. BWXT is pleased to have a draft Indigenous Relations Policy and have formed an Indigenous Relations Committee, made up of representatives spanning several key areas of our operations, who are working to develop programs around leadership actions, employment strategies, business development and community relationships.
EXPECTED RESULTS
BWXT Canada will ensure that the future SMR workforce is diverse and equitably recognizes contributions from women, youth, minorities and Indigenous people as recommended by the Roadmap