Estevan area chosen for nuclear power, final decision in 2029

As SaskPower looks a decade ahead to when it might be able to get nuclear power into it is generation, its narrowing down where the first Small Modular Reactors will go. 

Premier Scott Moe announced at an event Thursday night, the site selection had been narrowed down to two areas near Estevan – on the Boundary Dam Reservoir and the Rafferty Dam Reservoir.

“What we’ll be looking at in those two sites is are they capable of housing not only one reactor but, ultimately, additional reactors,” said Premier Moe.
SaskPower had previously been looking at areas near Estevan and Elbow. 

The Crown Corporation said the Estevan area has several benefits, proximity to accommodations and emergency services, infrastructure, roads and transmission and a skilled workforce.

Premier Moe talked about the people who are already working in coal generation in the area, and they’re going to be out of work soon as federal regulations end coal power generation.

“That is the place where we have a workforce that we can really work together on some workforce continuity and find our way from the folks that are running our coal-fired operations in Estevan right now. Re-training them and converting them to be able to be qualified to run our nuclear power plants in the future,” said Premier Moe, on the Evan Bray Show Friday morning.

The premier also talked about the regulatory process. He said, as a part of the process, the government cannot confirm it’s for certain they will go ahead with nuclear.

He spoke about it being a long and expensive process, taking anywhere between nine to 14 years to go through.

“If we’re truly to encourage the development of all sizes of nuclear reactors, zero carbon power in Saskatchewan and across Canada,” said Premier Moe.

“We should really put together a working group between the provinces and the federal government and experts on how we shorten the process and really tighten up some of the costs that are ultimately going to be incurred by the powers users in just the regulatory process, never mind the construction and operation of the facility.”

SaskPower said it’s now going to begin a detailed site analysis on the two areas including collecting groundwater, looking at geotechnical details such as land and water analysis.

It said the site which will ultimately be chosen will be for the first Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and the second one could be built at the same facility shortly thereafter.

The decision on a site is expected to be made next year, with a final decision on whether to go ahead with nuclear in 2029. A reactor wouldn’t be built and operational until 2034.

SaskPower said Elbow, SK is still an attractive option for nuclear power and could be utilized in the future.