SaskPower and GE Hitachi to collaborate on Saskatchewan SMR deployment
Reactors

SaskPower and GE Hitachi to collaborate on Saskatchewan SMR deployment

SaskPower and GE Vernova’s Nuclear business, GE Hitachi (GEH), signed an agreement to advance small modular reactor (SMR) development in Saskatchewan. 

SaskPower and GEH will collaborate on project planning and facilitate the sharing of expertise related to the design, fuel sourcing and fabrication of GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 small modular reactor. The companies will also support workforce and supply chain planning needed for a Saskatchewan-based SMR deployment. 

“Gaining detailed technical specifications, requirements and designs to the BWRX-300 is necessary for our planning work and license applications,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO. “Leveraging experience and expertise from our colleagues in the nuclear industry is an important part of our planning work.” 

In June 2022, SaskPower selected the GE Hitachi BWRX-300 as the technology to be used in its SMR development work. The BWRX-300 was also selected by Ontario Power Generation for its Darlington New Nuclear Project and is a boiling water reactor that produces about 300 MW from one single unit. This innovative SMR is based on similar large-scale nuclear power plants that have been in operation globally for decades.

OPG aims to build North America’s first SMR at its Darlington New Nuclear site. OPG expects the first of four SMRs would be completed there by the end of 2028 and online by 2030. Subject to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulatory approvals, the additional SMRs could come online between 2034 and 2036. The four units once deployed would produce a total 1,200 MW of electricity.

In 2023, the Canadian government approved up to $74 million in federal funding for small modular reactor (SMR) development in Saskatchewan, to be led by SaskPower. The funding will support pre-engineering work and technical and regulatory studies, environmental assessments and community and Indigenous engagement.

Earlier in 2023, SaskPower and OPG renewed an agreement to continue working together on new nuclear development, including SMRs. The utilities would provide mutual support by sharing lessons learned, technical resources and expertise, best practices and operating experience. SaskPower and OPG would consider future collaboration in other areas, including project development and plant operations.

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