First Hydrogen Welcomes Accelerated Small Modular Reactor Development in Darlington

First Hydrogen Corp has welcomed the Canadian government's recent announcement prioritizing the Darlington new nuclear project, marking a significant step towards establishing the first operational small modular reactor (SMR) in a G7 country. This initiative underscores Canada's commitment to advancing its energy infrastructure and aims to produce environmentally friendly energy through the deployment of these innovative reactors.

The first of four planned SMRs at Darlington is projected to generate sufficient power to supply approximately 300,000 households. This development is especially pertinent given the soaring energy demands from artificial intelligence data centers, which are forecasted to increase global electricity consumption significantly in the coming years. Goldman Sachs predicts that the energy needs of these centers will rise by 50% by 2027 and potentially by 165% by the decade's end.

In March 2025, First Hydrogen established its subsidiary, First Nuclear Corp, focusing on harnessing the energy produced by SMRs for electrolysis processes to generate green hydrogen. This strategy emphasizes the importance of providing decarbonized energy in remote and industrial locations, where energy security is paramount. The federal government's recent decision reinforces this approach, promoting collaboration between utility companies, Indigenous partners, and provincial governments.

Balraj Mann, chairman and CEO of First Hydrogen, highlighted that these SMRs, based on Canada's CANDU reactor designs, are poised to become integral components of the nation's energy infrastructure. Their simpler, low-pressure designs employ passive safety mechanisms, eliminating the need for human intervention or external energy sources for shutdowns, while also consuming less fuel—making them an attractive clean energy solution.

First Hydrogen is committed to developing and commercializing advanced clean energy solutions, particularly green hydrogen produced using state-of-the-art small modular reactors. The company aims to provide scalable, sustainable, and economically viable alternatives that contribute to global climate goals while enhancing energy security.