Canadian province of Saskatchewan invests in modular reactors

Saskatchewan Crown Investments Corporation (CIC) will provide CAD 479,000 (approximately CZK 7.82 million) to the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA) and its partners. The aim is to prepare local companies to participate in the future development of small modular reactors (SMRs) at the provincial, national and global levels.

A two-year funding agreement between CIC and SIMSA, a non-profit organization representing more than 300 suppliers in Saskatchewan's industrial, mining and energy sectors, will support SMR supply chain specialists within SIMSA.

Working with local communities

The funding will also support collaboration with the First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) to research economic opportunities for local residents. It will also enable the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) to deliver its Ready4SMR program, which aims to develop local suppliers, including companies owned by local residents.

"The programs and resources made possible by this funding injection are key to building the nuclear industry in Saskatchewan," said Don Morgan, Minister responsible for Crown Investments Corporation.

"Developing SMR supply chains in Saskatchewan will unlock economic and employment opportunities for communities near and far, including our northern and remote regions, as well as local communities."

"SIMSA looks forward to working with CIC to expand resources for developing skilled nuclear manufacturing and construction companies in our province," said SIMSA Executive Director Eric Anderson. "One key element of this effort is recruiting SMR supply chain specialists with supply chain experience and an understanding of current market factors. This position will be a valuable asset to SMR development in Saskatchewan."

Support from the Canadian government

"The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries is proud to work with SIMSA and FNPA to implement our Ready4SMR program in Saskatchewan," added OCNI President and CEO Bill Walker. "We would also like to thank Crown Investments Corporation for its financial contribution, which makes this project possible."

"Canada is a world leader in developing small modular reactors, and we are excited that Saskatchewan is planning to include SMRs in its clean energy mix. Our role is to build an all-Canadian supply chain that will give provinces such as Saskatchewan an opportunity for economic development,"

Cutaway of the BWRX-300 modular reactor. Source: GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Last week, the Canadian government approved CAD 74 million (approximately CZK 1.2 billion) in funding for SMR development in Saskatchewan. The funding, which includes more than CAD 24 million (approximately CZK 392 million) from the carbon tax system, will support a project led by SaskPower.

SMR construction plans and site selection

In 2022, SaskPower selected the GE Hitachi BWRX-300 reactor for potential deployment in Saskatchewan. A decision on whether to build is expected in 2029. SaskPower has proposed the Elbow and Estevan regions as potential SMR sites. An information-sharing and feedback-gathering process is now under way to refine the site selection. According to the project schedule, site selection is expected to be completed in 2025.

Although all of Canada's uranium production comes from Saskatchewan, the province does not currently use nuclear power. However, in 2019 the Saskatchewan government identified SMR technology development as a goal in its growth plan. In March 2022, it joined the governments of Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta in issuing a joint strategic plan setting out a path for SMR development and deployment.