Eclipse Automation expands nuclear footprint with major refurbishment contracts in Romania and China

Eclipse Automation, a nuclear automation specialist based in Cambridge, Ontario and part of Accenture‘s advanced manufacturing portfolio, has secured a series of high-impact contracts tied to the refurbishment of CANDU reactors at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania and the Qinshan nuclear facility in China. The awards mark a critical expansion of Canada‘s nuclear equipment supply chain into two key international markets, and reinforce Eclipse Automation’s capabilities in automated tooling, reactor servicing systems, and complex nuclear-grade equipment.

The contracts, awarded in coordination with Candu Energy Inc.—a subsidiary of AtkinsRéalis—cover the full cycle of tooling delivery, including the design, manufacturing, testing, and commissioning of automated inspection units, radioactive material handling systems, component retrieval mechanisms, volume reduction equipment, control systems, and a dedicated internal remote-control center.

Why are Eclipse Automation’s new nuclear contracts significant?

These newly secured refurbishment contracts position Eclipse Automation at the forefront of a growing wave of international nuclear life extension initiatives. CANDU technology, developed in Canada and now operational across multiple continents, is central to this effort. With lifecycle extension becoming a primary focus for countries seeking to maintain low-carbon baseload energy without the political and financial hurdles of new reactor builds, the demand for precision refurbishment tooling has intensified.

Eclipse Automation’s CEO, Steve Mai, framed the contract wins as a major vote of confidence in Canadian nuclear automation. He pointed to the company’s track record in supporting similar initiatives at the Embalse plant in Argentina and Canada’s Bruce and Darlington nuclear generating stations. These earlier projects established Eclipse Automation’s credibility in delivering safety-critical systems under exacting regulatory oversight and budget discipline.

The contracts also align with national policy goals. Canada’s “2050 Nuclear Futures” strategy, developed by Accenture, identifies supply chain resilience and export capacity as key enablers of the country’s long-term decarbonization and industrial competitiveness. Eclipse Automation’s success in penetrating Romania and China’s reactor refurbishment markets directly contributes to those objectives.

What equipment will Eclipse Automation deliver for these projects?

The scope of work spans several categories of nuclear-grade automation systems. In Romania, Eclipse Automation will supply tools to support the refurbishment of Cernavoda Unit 1—a 700-megawatt CANDU reactor scheduled for major upgrades over the next five years. At Qinshan, China’s first and only operational CANDU facility, similar equipment will be deployed as part of an extended life-cycle project expected to be co-managed with local engineering stakeholders.

The tools include automated inspection arms for in-core assessments, modular systems for radioactive waste handling and containment, volume reduction assemblies, and advanced controls to minimize operator exposure and human error. Eclipse Automation also confirmed the integration of a proprietary remote-control system, allowing for offsite monitoring and command of refurbishment processes in high-radiation zones.

Most of the equipment will be developed, fabricated, and tested in Ontario, where Eclipse Automation operates a vertically integrated manufacturing and quality assurance hub. The firm’s highly specialized nuclear division, located in Cambridge, will play a central role in delivering mission-critical assemblies on schedule and within compliance frameworks.

How does this support Canada’s nuclear industry and export agenda?

Eclipse Automation’s latest achievements come amid broader efforts by Canadian institutions to expand the global presence of CANDU technology and service providers. The Canadians for CANDU campaign, a cross-sectoral initiative that includes participation from government, industry, and academia, has emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining technical leadership in CANDU life extension.

Matthew Ross, Senior Vice-President of International Life Extension at Candu Energy Inc., described Eclipse Automation as a “valued partner” with an established reputation for balancing safety, quality, and schedule adherence—three pillars of successful nuclear project execution. He reiterated that Eclipse’s Canadian roots and global delivery model make it a cornerstone of the growing international supply chain supporting CANDU reactor programs.

From a public policy standpoint, the deals help insulate Canada’s nuclear supply ecosystem from over-dependence on domestic demand alone. With a pipeline of aging reactors across Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America—all candidates for CANDU refurbishment—there is a multi-decade export opportunity emerging for firms like Eclipse Automation that can meet nuclear-grade standards and deliver at scale.

Expert sentiment on Canada’s nuclear equipment export strategy

While precise contract values were not disclosed, industry analysts view Eclipse Automation’s announcement as a strategic signal for Canadian nuclear manufacturing capabilities. Nuclear analysts at industry think tanks have highlighted a gap in global tooling and servicing providers for mid-life reactor extension, especially in markets where local capacity remains underdeveloped.

The involvement of Accenture also lends Eclipse Automation a digital transformation advantage. Analysts expect that advanced analytics, digital twin simulations, and predictive maintenance protocols—already integral to Eclipse’s automation solutions—will increasingly become standard in international refurbishment operations. This positions Eclipse at the intersection of traditional nuclear engineering and next-generation smart manufacturing.

From an institutional investor perspective, the announcement strengthens the case for Canadian manufacturing firms participating in the broader energy transition. Portfolio managers with exposure to clean energy and industrial automation sectors are likely to view Eclipse Automation’s positioning as emblematic of resilient, future-ready infrastructure plays.

What does this mean for Canada’s nuclear workforce and regional economy?

Beyond global implications, the contract wins are expected to deliver tangible benefits to Ontario’s high-tech manufacturing and skilled labor markets. Eclipse Automation’s nuclear division has long relied on a domestic base of nuclear engineers, safety specialists, robotic tooling designers, and precision machinists. With the contracts set to run across multi-year timelines, the ripple effects will likely extend to local component suppliers, logistics providers, and regulatory consultants.

Ontario’s nuclear sector is already among the most developed in the world, but these latest contracts will deepen specialization in areas such as robotic inspection, remote-control systems, and modular tooling. The federal and provincial governments, both of which have championed nuclear energy as part of their net-zero targets, are expected to continue supporting export-oriented nuclear manufacturing through tax incentives, training programs, and supply chain financing.

Eclipse Automation’s broader footprint across North America, Europe, and Asia also means lessons learned and technologies deployed in Romania and China could later be redeployed in other refurbishment projects—particularly in aging Western European reactors that share operational characteristics with CANDU systems.

Future outlook for Eclipse Automation and Canadian nuclear exporters

Looking ahead, Eclipse Automation is likely to benefit from a global upcycle in nuclear refurbishment activity, especially as countries prioritize energy security in parallel with climate goals. Analysts expect that between 2026 and 2040, more than 100 reactors globally will enter either mid-life refurbishment or end-of-life decision cycles. Within this landscape, suppliers with demonstrated experience in safety-critical automation and life extension tooling will enjoy first-mover advantages.

For Eclipse Automation, the immediate focus will be on the successful delivery of the Cernavoda and Qinshan systems. However, its long-term trajectory will hinge on maintaining technical leadership and scaling capacity while adapting to regional compliance and project risk factors. Accenture’s backing provides Eclipse with the resources to do just that—offering not just equipment, but digitally enabled, data-rich solutions tailored to the evolving demands of nuclear asset operators.

As Canada continues to build out its clean energy export portfolio, firms like Eclipse Automation could become central actors in positioning the country not just as a source of uranium or reactor designs—but as a global hub for nuclear lifecycle expertise and tooling innovation.