Provinces publish strategic plan to advance small modular reactors for clean energy
by CM Staff
The report identifies five key priority areas for SMR development.
Provinces publish plan for small modular reactors
REGINA – The governments of Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Alberta have agreed to a joint strategic plan outlining the path forward on small modular reactors (SMRs).
A Strategic Plan for the Deployment of Small Modular Reactors highlights how SMRs can provide zero-emissions energy to power a growing economy and population, while creating new opportunities to export Canadian knowledge and expertise around the world.
The report identifies five key priority areas for SMR development:
- Positioning Canada as an exporter of global SMR technology by propelling three separate streams of SMR development, covering both on-grid and off-grid applications.
- Promoting a strong nuclear regulatory framework that focuses on the health and safety of the public and the environment while ensuring reasonable costs and timelines.
- Securing federal government commitments on financial and policy support for new SMR technologies that would lead to vast economic benefits across the country and help meet our emissions reduction targets.
- Creating opportunities for participation from Indigenous communities and public engagement.
- Working with the federal government and nuclear operators on a robust nuclear waste management plan for SMRs.
Since December 2019, Ontario, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have been working together to advance SMRs in Canada through an inter-provincial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Alberta joined the MOU in April 2021.
