SaskPower has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bruce Power to access the Ontario-based company’s expertise in nuclear generation, project development, and long-term operations as Saskatchewan evaluates large nuclear technologies.
The Government of Saskatchewan’s Energy Security Strategy sets out a pathway to nuclear power generation from both small modular reactors (SMRs) and large nuclear reactors using Saskatchewan uranium. In January, the province and SaskPower announced plans to formally evaluate large nuclear reactor technologies for potential use in Saskatchewan.
“Our Energy Security Strategy sets out a pathway to nuclear power generation from both SMRs and large nuclear reactors 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.”
“The growing demands for reliable, baseload power, not just in Saskatchewan, but across the country, reinforce the vital role that nuclear power will play in the years ahead,” President and CEO of SaskPower Rupen Pandya said. “Power is a key economic driver in Saskatchewan that is needed to advance critical sectors such as mining, oil and gas and agriculture.”
With much of Canada’s nuclear industry and supply chain based in Ontario – and with so much promise for economic growth from nuclear in Saskatchewan – the MOU with Bruce Power will formalize information-sharing, enable alignment on federal and provincial nuclear strategy, and leverage Bruce Power’s national leadership in nuclear expertise.
The agreement demonstrates interprovincial collaboration, improved alignment across utilities and the potential for growth as additional provinces look to nuclear power to meet future needs for power.
“We are uniquely positioned to collaborate with SaskPower as it explores new nuclear to power the province with clean energy for the next generation,” Bruce Power’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President James Scongack said. “We will share what we have 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 pressurized heavy water reactors are being renewed to operate for several decades to come.
SaskPower will also benefit from lessons learned through Bruce Power’s proposed Bruce C Project, the first new nuclear development in Canada to enter the federal Impact Assessment process.