The Federal Government has announced its support for developing and deploying small modular reactors (SMRs) in Saskatchewan.
Announced earlier this month by Jonathan Wilkinson, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Government of Canada has approved up to $74 million in federal funding for SMR development in Saskatchewan, led by SaskPower.
The announcement comes to help Saskatchewan and other provinces increase their ability to deliver clean, reliable and affordable power to their citizens.
“With the announcement, we are investing in the future of nuclear technology, building on Canada’s decades-long legacy as a responsible global leader in nuclear power, and leveraging Saskatchewan’s world-leading production of uranium to position the province to thrive in a rapidly decarbonizing global economy,” Wilkinson said.
This funding will support pre-engineering work and technical studies, environmental assessments, regulatory studies and community and Indigenous engagement to help advance this critical project.
Steven Guilbeault, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, said the announcement is an example of how the two levels of government can work together to finance clean energy projects in Saskatchewan.
“Saskatchewan has a significant competitive advantage with an abundance of natural resources to be a leader in the development of clean, affordable and reliable electricity grid,” he said .” Building a clean electricity grid in Saskatchewan is good for the economy, good for communities and good for the planet.”
SaskPower has selected the GE-Hitachi BWRX-300 for potential deployment in Saskatchewan in the mid-2030s, subject to a decision to build that is expected in 2029.
“GE Hitachi is excited to work with Saskatchewan to be a global leader in the deployment of small modular reactors,” said Lisa McBride, a country leader with GEH SMR Canada. “Our technology is designed to provide reliable, cost-effective and emissions-free baseload electricity generation for the people of Saskatchewan for decades to come.”
SMRs, a non-emitting form of energy, can play an important role in decarbonizing provincial electricity grids and heavy-emitting industries. They can also help remote communities reduce reliance on costly, high-polluting diesel power. For example, a 300-megawatt SMR can supply enough non-emitting power for an estimated 300,000 homes.
With over 75,000 hard-working Canadians employed across its supply chain and decades of experience in this area, Canada’s nuclear industry is well positioned to leverage its science and technology innovation to continue to be among the leaders in developing and deploying SMR technology.
