Feds support small modular reactor development in Saskatchewan
by CM staff
The Government of Canada has approved up to $74 million in federal funding for SMR development in Saskatchewan, led by SaskPower.
SASKATOON — Non-emitting electricity infrastructure projects, including projects powered by next-generation nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), can play a role in this shift towards net-zero.
The Government of Canada is supporting Saskatchewan and other provinces to increase their ability to deliver clean, reliable and affordable power. Canada has approved up to $74 million in federal funding for SMR development in Saskatchewan, led by SaskPower.
“The approved funding of $74 million serves as a strong indication from the government that Canada is at the forefront of global innovation and implementation of small modular reactors (SMRs). Saskatchewan’s SMR program will provide reliable, low-carbon baseload energy to meet increasing electricity needs, supply clean power to its resource extraction industry and fuel the province’s economic growth,” said John Gorman, President and CEO, Canadian Nuclear Association. “This is exciting news for the residents of Saskatchewan, including its Indigenous communities, who have supported the province’s SMR development.”
This funding will support pre-engineering work and technical studies, environmental assessments, regulatory studies and community and Indigenous engagement to help advance this important project. 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, Country Leader, 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 and can help remote communities reduce their reliance on costly and high-polluting diesel power. As an example, a 300-megawatt SMR can supply enough non-emitting power for an estimated 300,000 homes.
Advancing new non-emitting electricity infrastructure projects is part of the government’s approach to bringing clean and reliable power to every region of Canada, as outlined in Powering Canada Forward and in the draft Clean Electricity Regulations.
