The premiers of Saskatchewan and Alberta are not counting their chickens before they hatch when it comes to quick federal approval of small modular reactors (SMRs).
SMRs are nuclear reactors that produce approximately 300 megawatts of electricity.
Both leaders told reporters at the Lloydminster Heavy Show, they support the need for SMRs, but think it could take 10 to 15 years for regulatory approval.
“If we can work collaboratively with the federal government to shorten the time frame on that, then we roll it out,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at a media scrum last Wednesday.
“Everyone in the industry I talk to, talks about a minimum 10-year regulatory approval process. We know we need to increase our energy production by 1,000 megawatts a year, so we need 10,000 MW to bring on in this short period.”
Smith says the most practical, efficient and reliable way to bring that on in her province is natural gas.
“That’s what we’ll be looking to do for the next decade,” she said.
Both provinces signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in May to advance the development of nuclear power generation in support of their shared need for affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity grids by 2050.
Sask Power expects to select a final site for an SMR in the Estevan area in early 2025.
“We don’t have a lot of other options as we find our way to increase power usage for whatever reason that might be,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.
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