Saskatchewan’s energy policy sets out pathway to nuclear generation
Canadian electricity company and nuclear operator Bruce Power has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with utility SaskPower to share its expertise in nuclear generation, project development and long-term operations as Saskatchewan evaluates large nuclear technologies for potential use in the province.
In January, the government of Saskatchewan and SaskPower announced plans to formally evaluate large nuclear reactor technologies.
Saskatchewan’s energy security strategy sets out a pathway to nuclear power generation from both large nuclear reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) to prepare for rising electricity demand and future export opportunities, including electricity and critical minerals such as potash and uranium, minister responsible for SaskPower Jeremy Harrison said.
“Collaboration is key to ensure we make informed, future-focused decisions that benefit our provinces and our country,” Harrison said.
With most of Canada’s nuclear industry and supply chain focused in Ontario, the MoU with Bruce Power will formalise information-sharing, enable alignment on federal and provincial nuclear strategy, and make use of Bruce Power’s national leadership in nuclear expertise, a Bruce Power statement said.
“We’re uniquely positioned to collaborate with SaskPower as it explores new nuclear to power the province with clean energy for the next generation,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president. “We will share what we’ve learned in 25 years of operating the Bruce site and in planning projects and planning for new nuclear.”
The Bruce Power site was home to Canada’s first commercial reactor, Douglas Point, which operated from 1967 to 1984, and its current fleet of eight Candu pressurised heavy water reactors are being renewed to operate for several decades to come. Bruce Power is also exploring the option for a Bruce C project and up to 4,800 MW of new nuclear on its site.
