The provincial government in Saskatchewan has announced plans to assess the feasibility of constructing large nuclear reactors. Alongside this, the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) will also progress. Jeremy Harrison, Minister for SaskPower, revealed that the selection process for a large nuclear site will be coordinated with the SMR site selection. The initial SMR project by SaskPower is set to commence near Estevan later this year.
The reactors are intended to be fueled by uranium sourced within Saskatchewan. This venture aims to bolster the provincial economy, create job opportunities, and potentially open avenues for exports within Canada and internationally. Harrison emphasized the significance of this initiative for the province’s growth prospects.
While discussing the nuclear power future of the province, Premier Scott Moe highlighted the importance of transitioning to nuclear power to ensure a reliable and cost-effective power grid. SaskPower CEO Rupen Pandya stressed the need to start planning for large reactors now to prepare for future energy demands. This move follows previous considerations of large-scale nuclear projects in Saskatchewan, indicating a strategic shift towards nuclear power in the region.