SaskPower and Ontario’s Bruce Power have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-operate on the potential development of large-scale nuclear reactors in Saskatchewan.
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The agreement, announced Thursday, April 16, allows SaskPower to tap into Bruce Power’s 25 years of operational experience to assist in evaluating nuclear technologies, project development and long-term provincial planning.
The move follows the Government of Saskatchewan’s Energy Security Strategy, which aims to integrate both small modular reactors (SMRs) and large-scale nuclear generation into the province’s power grid. Officials say the shift is necessary to meet the growing electricity demands of the mining, agriculture and oil and gas sectors.
“Collaboration is key to ensure we make informed, future-focused decisions that benefit our provinces and our country,” said Jeremy Harrison, the minister responsible for SaskPower.
While Saskatchewan has long been a global supplier of uranium, it has not yet hosted a commercial nuclear power plant. By partnering with Bruce Power — operator of one of the world’s largest nuclear facilities — SaskPower intends to leverage existing Canadian expertise and supply chains primarily based in Ontario.
Rupen Pandya, president and CEO of SaskPower, noted that reliable baseload power is a “key economic driver” required to support the province’s critical mineral exports, including potash and uranium.
The partnership will also focus on “lessons learned” from the Bruce C Project, which is currently the first new nuclear build in Canada to enter the federal Impact Assessment process.
James Scongack, Bruce Power’s chief operating officer, said the company is uniquely positioned to share its expertise in planning and operating nuclear sites as Saskatchewan explores clean energy options for the next generation.
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