Ontario, Sask., N.B. push for nuclear power future

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“Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick agreed today to work together to explore new, cutting-edge technology in nuclear power generation to provide carbon-free, affordable, reliable, and safe energy, while helping us unlock economic potential across Canada, including rural and remote regions,” the trio said in a joint statement issued on Sunday afternoon.

The three premiers made the announcement just ahead of a meeting of the Council of the Federation.

The premiers of all the provinces and territories have descended upon Toronto for an emergency, post-election meeting.

The announcement Sunday included a Memorandum of Understanding for the three provinces to collaborate in developing SMR, or small modular reactor technology.

SMRs require less upfront money to build them than traditional nuclear reactors, they also can start small and scale up as needs change.

“SMRs could generate clean and low-cost energy for both on-grid and off-grid communities, connect more remote and rural areas of our province, and benefit energy-intensive industries, including the mining and manufacturing sectors,” the premiers’ statement read.

Both Saskatchewan and New Brunswick generate a significant portion of their electric power through coal fired plants, shifting to small modular nuclear reactors would allow both provinces to reduce pollution from their coal plants as well as reduce greenhouse gas combos.

“Most definitely it would have a huge impact on the emissions profile of our electrical generation sector,” Moe said.

Premier Higgs said the agreement would also be an economic opportunity for the provinces.

“It could be a major export opportunity and an economic generator,” Higgs said.

“We could be a world leader,” Ford said of the export potential that could benefit Ontario.

John Gorman, president and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association welcomed the announcement saying the potential to serve remote areas is incredible.

You can place them in all sorts of different situations first nations, mining operations, decarbonizing oil and gas or putting 300 megawatts onto the grid.

The hope is the technology will be viable and online within eight years.

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