Alberta signs MOU with three other provinces to develop small nuclear reactors

Initially, Ford, Moe and Higgs had signed the MOU about 18 months ago. With Wednesday’s signing, Alberta has joined the fold.

The premiers noted that SMRs provide low-cost clean sources for energy and would be particularly valuable for rural communities.

Alberta’s Jason Kenney said, “I’m glad that we’re now in this group to work together to find a Canadian solution that can be a real game-changer for power production that is zero-emitting.”

He cited former Premier Ralph Klein’s idea two decades ago to have small nuclear reactors help fuel the oilsands in northern Alberta.

Kenney believes Klein’s “vision has now bee validated.”

“It’s true that 20 years ago, we didn’t have technology that could be scaled at that level. The capital investment required in nuclear [technology] was so enormous that it simply couldn’t be done on a local or industrial scale of that nature.”

He said now, that’s not the case.

“With the development of SMR technology, we can, in principle, develop small modular reactors for discreet industrial applications like, for example, fueling a production of Canada’s single-most valuable natural asset, which is our bitumen – the Canadian oilsands.”

Kenney said he has had many discussions recently with the CEOs of Canada’s largest oilsands producers, and noted they’ve said they are turning their attention toward the development of SMRs.

“Canada has to make real step changes to reduce greenhouse gas, including carbon emissions and that as Premier [Scott] Moe says, the single best way of doing that is through nuclear technology.”

SMR FEASIBILITY STUDY

An SMR Feasibility Study, which was formally requested as part of the MOU in December of 2019, found that the development of the reactors would support domestic energy needs, curb greenhouse gas emissions and position the country as a global leader in nuclear technology.

SMRs produce 300 megawatts of electricity or less. They can support large established grids, small grids, remote off-grid communities and resource projects.

That study was conducted by Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, NB Power and SaskPower. It identified three streams of SMR project proposals for consideration by the Ontario, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan governments.

Stream 1 proposes a first grid-scale SMR project of about 300 megawatts constructed at the Darlington nuclear site in Ontario by 2028. Units in Saskatchewan would follow, with the first to be in service in 2032.
Stream 2 involves two fourth generation advanced small modular reactors that would be developed in New Brunswick via the construction of demonstration units at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. An initial ARC Clean Energy demonstration unit plans to be ready by 2030.
- Moltex Energy Inc.’s waste recycling facility and reactor is preparing to be ready by the early 2030s. Through ongoing support and collaborations, these advanced technologies could start being deployed as early as 2030 in support of the industrial needs in areas like Alberta, Saskatchewan and around the globe.
Stream 3 proposes a new class of micro-SMRs designed primarily to create employment and economic growth benefits for Canada, as well as opportunities to export technology and expertise to address world-wide issues like climate change and energy reliability.

The partner provinces will continue to work together and the next action as part of the MOU is to develop a joint strategic plan.

That will be drafted by the governments of Alberta, New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan.

The plan is expected to be completed this spring.

by Justin Goulet

Alberta signs MOU with three other provinces to develop small nuclear reactors

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