Sask. joins nuclear partnership in push towards microreactor technology

Saskatchewan has joined a partnership to draw on four decades of past experience in nuclear technology as it pushes towards its first microreactor.

The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) is working towards licensing and demonstrating a microreactor in the province, with the ultimate goal of using small modular reactors for nuclear power generation. The SRC’s first microreactor – an eVinci reactor built by Westinghouse – is expected to come online in 2029.

According to the provincial government, joining the CANDU Owners Group will allow the SRC and SaskPower to access research, technical workshops and more, in order to collaborate with other members on new technologies and evaluate different approaches to nuclear power.

SaskPower and SRC are the first new members in the group in more than 20 years.

“The insight provided by other Canadian nuclear utilities and key international nuclear organizations will be incredibly valuable ahead of our decision in 2029 whether to proceed with nuclear power from (small modular reactors),” Dustin Duncan, minister responsible for SaskPower, said in a statement.

Jeremy Harrison, minister responsible for SRC, called it “another milestone for Saskatchewan in advancing the safe and sustainable introduction of nuclear technologies into the province.”

The CANDU Owners Group is named for the CANDU reactors developed in the 1950s and ‘60s, but the group expanded its mandate to include new technologies and small modular reactors in 2018 “in recognition that its collaboration model is beneficial to non-CANDU technologies.”

Other members of the group include Bruce Power, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, New Brunswick Power, and Ontario Power Generation.