Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower), Westinghouse Electric Company, and Cameco Corporation have joined forces to assess the potential implementation of Westinghouse nuclear reactor technology and a Saskatchewan-based nuclear supply chain to meet the province’s future clean energy needs.
This collaborative effort aims to explore a sustainable and reliable power source for Saskatchewan.
Memorandum of Understanding Outlines Goals
A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the three companies outlines their commitment to investigate technical and commercial pathways for deploying Westinghouse’s reactor technology.
This includes evaluating the advanced AP1000 reactor and AP300 small modular reactor (SMR) for long-term electricity supply planning.
The collaboration also extends to evaluating a nuclear supply chain encompassing fuel and identifying opportunities for nuclear research, development, and workforce training in partnership with Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions.
Government Support and Previous Evaluations
Saskatchewan’s government recognized the development of SMR technology as a growth objective in its 2019 development roadmap.
In August 2023, the Canadian government approved up to CAD74 million (USD55 million) in federal funding for SMR development in the province, spearheaded by SaskPower.
The utility anticipates making a final investment decision in 2029 and intends to utilize Saskatchewan-produced uranium in any reactor constructed within the province.
Notably, in 2022, SaskPower selected GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s BWRX-300 SMR for potential deployment in the mid-2030s after evaluating three SMR technologies.
Leveraging Expertise and Enhancing SMR Development
SaskPower President and CEO Rupen Pandya emphasized the importance of “leveraging knowledge from organizations with significant expertise in the nuclear industry” for making responsible decisions about Saskatchewan’s energy future.
Collaborating on nuclear fuel supply and assessing various technologies will enhance SaskPower’s ongoing SMR development efforts and future planning.
Notably, Westinghouse reactor technology was not included in SaskPower’s earlier evaluation, which occurred before the May 2023 launch of the AP300 SMR, a design based on the licensed and operational AP1000 pressurized light water technology.
Westinghouse’s Global Presence and Proven Technology
Westinghouse’s AP1000 reactor has demonstrated superior economic performance and availability globally, and the AP300 SMR builds upon this proven and licensed technology.
Westinghouse President and CEO Patrick Fragman expressed the company’s eagerness to assist SaskPower in bringing carbon-free electricity to Saskatchewan for generations to come.
Tim Gitzel, President and CEO of Saskatoon-based Cameco, one of the world’s largest providers of nuclear fuel, emphasized the significance of decarbonizing Saskatchewan’s power grid as an “ambitious and important” goal for the province.
Cameco, with its extensive presence in Saskatchewan, including uranium operations, a growing workforce, and partnerships with Indigenous communities, plays a vital role in this endeavor.
Strategic Partnership and Site Selection
Cameco’s acquisition of Westinghouse in 2023, in partnership with Brookfield Asset Management and institutional partners, further strengthens their commitment to nuclear energy.
SaskPower has already identified two potential sites in the Estevan area for an SMR plant and will conduct detailed site analysis before finalizing the selection in 2025.