First Hydrogen Corp Welcomes Fast-Tracked Small Modular Reactor Project in Darlington, Aligns with Environmental Energy Strategy

First Hydrogen Corp has voiced its enthusiastic support for the Canadian government’s recent announcement regarding the accelerated processing of the Darlington New Nuclear Project. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that this initiative will be among the first prioritized by Canada’s new Major Projects Office. The federal decision to favor small modular reactors (SMRs) marks a significant step in Canada’s ambition to become the first G7 country with an operational SMR, a development that aligns seamlessly with First Hydrogen's commitment to producing environmentally friendly energy.

The planned SMRs at Darlington are designed for modular manufacturing and small-scale deployment, with the first of four reactors capable of supplying energy to approximately 300,000 households. First Hydrogen is collaborating with Professor Muhammad Taha Manzoor from the University of Alberta for the optimization of reactor designs and fuel, which is crucial given the rapid increase in energy demand, particularly from AI data centers. According to projections from Goldman Sachs, global electricity demand from data centers will surge by 50% by 2027, and could increase by as much as 165% by the end of the decade.

In response to this growing demand, First Hydrogen established its subsidiary, First Nuclear Corp, in March 2025. This entity is dedicated to harnessing energy produced by SMRs for the electrolysis process, aimed at generating green hydrogen.

The focus is particularly on remote and industrial sites where reliable access to decarbonized energy is essential. The government's recent measures reaffirm this strategy and bolster collaboration with utility companies, Indigenous partners, and provincial governments.

Balraj Mann, Chairman and CEO of First Hydrogen, emphasized that SMRs, based on Canada’s CANDU reactor technology, are poised to integrate into the country’s energy infrastructure. With their simpler, energy-efficient low-pressure designs that require no human or external power to shut down, SMRs represent a highly attractive source of clean energy. First Hydrogen remains committed to advancing and commercializing innovative solutions for clean energy, including green hydrogen generated through cutting-edge small modular reactors, with the goal of providing scalable, sustainable, and economically viable alternatives that contribute to global climate objectives and enhance energy security.