Premier Scott Moe goes big on nuclear with plans to explore 2 large nuclear reactors in northwest Sask.
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Moe → go → Sask
Goal is to have 1st large nuclear reactor online by 2042
Saskatchewan is going big on nuclear, announcing plans to explore building two large nuclear reactors in the province's northwest, with a goal of having the first online by 2042.
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first → have → 2042
The Government of Saskatchewan also confirmed it has narrowed down the location of further study for its construction of small modular reactors (SMRs) to the Rafferty site near Estevan.
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it → confirm → Estevan
Premier Scott Moe said the province's new Delivering Energy Security Through Nuclear Power plan establishes an initial target of 2,600 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power generation by 2050.
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plan → say → 2050
"With our world-class uranium resources, skilled workforce and growing nuclear expertise, Saskatchewan has everything we need to be a global leader in nuclear energy," Moe said.
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Moe → grow → energy
"This ambitious plan turns that potential into action — strengthening our energy security, attracting investment, and building a strong nuclear future right here at home.”
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plan → turn → home
As Sask. pushes nuclear power, questions raised about costs, other options
Did Sask. pick coal to power its energy future for financial reasons, or political ones?
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. → push → reasons
Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison said the plan focuses on four priorities for nuclear development:
- Building electricity capacity for long-term growth.
- Incorporating large nuclear reactors into the province's electricity supply planning.
- Continuing nuclear development in Estevan.
- Building on established nuclear capabilities.
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plan → say → capabilities
“This plan gives SaskPower a clear path to meet growing demand and support the investment and industries that keep our province strong," Harrison said.
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Harrison → give → province
The 2,600 MW goal for nuclear power generation is a massive expansion of the province's nuclear plans, which had previously been restricted to SMR development and construction.
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which → restrict → development
For context, SaskPower reported that the total power system demand at 10:30 a.m. CST on Tuesday was 2,829 MW.
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demand → report → Tuesday
The SMR technology selected by Saskatchewan, the Hitachi BWRX-300, produces approximately 300 MW from a single unit.
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technology → select → unit
Although SaskPower has previously said it wanted to pursue large nuclear technology, Tuesday's announcement is the first time the government has provided firm details.
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government → say → details
The province did not confirm where the two large nuclear reactors would be constructed on Tuesday, but Moe has previously alluded to potential locations along the North Saskatchewan River.
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Moe → confirm → River
SaskPower said it will evaluate potential locations while having "meaningful engagement with local communities and Indigenous peoples."
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it → say → communities
The provincial government did not explicitly say what type of nuclear reactor it would use for the large scale reactors, but Westinghouse's CEO is included in the news release and references Westinghouse and Cameco's AP1000 Gen III+ reactor.
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CEO → say → Westinghouse
Some of those large scale reactors are already up and running in China and the U.S., with each reactor producing approximately 1,100 MW.
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reactor → run → MW
SaskPower also confirmed it has further narrowed down the locations for SMR deployment in southeast Saskatchewan.
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it → confirm → Saskatchewan
The Crown corporation has previously indicated it was down to two possibilities: a site on the Boundary Dam Resevoir in the Rural Municipality of Estevan, and a location on the Rafferty Resevoir in the rural municipality of Cambria.
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it → indicate → Cambria
SaskPower confirmed Tuesday that it has selected the Rafferty site for "further study."
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it → confirm → study
SaskPower says Estevan remain a key part of nuclear power plans, with the the goal of delivering at least 600 MW of nuclear power, or two Hitachi BWRX-300 units.
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Estevan → say → power
A final site decision is expected sometime this year, according to a SaskPower project schedule.
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decision → expect → schedule
The first SMR is scheduled to be operational by the mid-2030s according to the same document.
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SMR → schedule → document
The Aporia
