We’re in a multi-year planning phase for the development of nuclear power from small modular reactors (SMRs) in Saskatchewan. Although we won’t make a final investment decision to build a small modular reactor facility until 2029, we must plan now if we want SMRs to be an option in the mid-2030s.
To help, we’ve received federal funding to cover some of the costs of this planning.
Our Progress So Far
In 2019, we began evaluating the feasibility of SMRs in Saskatchewan. And with that, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU allows us to work alongside other provinces as we strive to achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible. Nuclear power from SMRs could ensure reliable power, available 24/7 for Saskatchewan.
And as part of this feasibility stage, we’ve:
- conducted feasibility research with other utilities across Canada
- contributed to Canada’s SMR Road Map and Action Plan
The planning phase is underway. So far, we’ve:
- established an internal team to develop nuclear power from SMRs as a supply option
- contracted for expertise from Canada’s existing nuclear industry
- completed a 4-year process to evaluate specific SMR designs and selected the GE-Hitachi BWRX-300 technology
- joined the CANDU Owner’s group to leverage technical, regulatory and research expertise from other Canadian nuclear utilities and international nuclear organizations
- narrowed our search to 2 sites near the City of Estevan — one on the Boundary Dam Reservoir and the other on the Rafferty Reservoir
The information we gather during the planning phase, will help us make future decisions. There are several years of project development, licensing and regulatory work required to support our final investment decision.
Next Steps
We expect the planning phase to take about 8 years. There are several things we need to do during this planning work, including:
- Ongoing Indigenous, stakeholder, customer and public engagement and consultation with Rightsholders in both the Elbow and Estevan study regions
- Complete environmental, social, economic and Indigenous impact assessments as required by federal and provincial regulators
- Evaluate 2 sites in the Estevan area in more detail through technical and environmental studies to determine which location could be the best fit to host a potential nuclear facility
- Seek land options in the Elbow region
- Secure3 different licences from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
- a Licence to Prepare the Site
- a Licence to Construct an SMR
- a Licence to Operate an SMR
Check out our project schedule:
Learn more about what we’ve heard so far from communities around Saskatchewan.
We’d also love to hear your thoughts and questions about nuclear in Saskatchewan. You can join the conversation online any time.
