popular articles

Saskatchewan plans to integrate Westinghouse reactor technology

Saskatchewan Power Corporation and Westinghouse Electric Company are evaluating the potential deployment of Westinghouse reactor technology to meet the province's future clean energy needs.
Westinghouse Saskatchewan reactor technology

Please share:

Saskatchewan Power Corporation, Westinghouse Electric Company and Cameco Corporation have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore technical and commercial avenues for the deployment of Westinghouse reactor technology, including the AP1000 Advanced Reactor and the AP300 Small Modular Reactor (SMR). This collaboration also includes the assessment of a nuclear supply chain to support nuclear energy projects, including fuel, and identifies opportunities for research, development and workforce training in partnership with Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions. Westinghouse once again opts to collaborate with another company, similar to its partnership with Bechtel in Poland.

Background and government support

In 2019, the Saskatchewan government has identified the development of SMR technology as a growth target. In August 2023, the Canadian government approved up to CAD 74 million in federal funding for SMR development in the province, led by SaskPower. The company expects to make a final investment decision in 2029, and intends to use Saskatchewan-produced uranium for any reactor built in the province. By 2022, SaskPower had selected GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s BWRX-300 SMR for potential deployment in the 2030s after an evaluation of three SMR technologies. This selection was intended to facilitate a pan-Canadian approach based on a fleet of SMRs, thereby reducing regulatory, construction and operating risks.

AP300 technology development

Westinghouse reactor technology had not been included in SaskPower’s earlier evaluation, which took place prior to the May 2023 launch of the AP300 SMR. This design is based on AP1000 technology, already licensed and in operation. Westinghouse is one of six SMR suppliers shortlisted in October 2023 for UK government support, and has signed an agreement to build four AP300 units in the UK.

Outlook and regional commitment

Rupen Pandya, President and CEO of SaskPower, said the collaboration on nuclear fuel supply and the evaluation of various technologies will strengthen SMR’s development work and the company’s future planning. Patrick Fragman, President and CEO of Westinghouse, emphasized the superior economic performance and proven availability of the AP1000 reactors, as well as the AP300, based on this proven and licensed technology. Tim Gitzel, President and CEO of Cameco, added that decarbonizing Saskatchewan’s power grid is an ambitious and important future goal for the province. Cameco, one of the world’s largest nuclear fuel suppliers, acquired Westinghouse in 2023 in strategic partnership with Brookfield Asset Management and its affiliates. SaskPower has identified two potential sites for an SMR power plant in the Estevan region, in the southeast of the province, where detailed site analyses will begin before final site selection in 2025.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

At COP29, six countries joined an ambitious declaration to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, bringing the number of signatories to 31, backed by major financial institutions.
EDF projects a strategic decision for its first six EPR reactors in 2026, with sites for eight additional ones to be determined the same year, as part of France's energy strategy.
EDF projects a strategic decision for its first six EPR reactors in 2026, with sites for eight additional ones to be determined the same year, as part of France's energy strategy.
Vietnam plans to reactivate its nuclear program, halted in 2016, to support rapid industrialization and meet increasing energy demands while aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Vietnam plans to reactivate its nuclear program, halted in 2016, to support rapid industrialization and meet increasing energy demands while aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Great British Nuclear evaluates technologies from GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Westinghouse to select the modular reactors that will shape the country’s energy future.
Great British Nuclear evaluates technologies from GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Westinghouse to select the modular reactors that will shape the country’s energy future.
At COP29, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasizes the inclusion of nuclear energy in climate financing, while targeting a regulated access approach for developing countries.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visits Iran to revive inspections and seek a diplomatic resolution on Iran's nuclear program amid growing international tensions.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visits Iran to revive inspections and seek a diplomatic resolution on Iran's nuclear program amid growing international tensions.
Niger opens its doors to Russian companies for the exploration of its natural wealth, marking a strategic shift as tensions persist with French companies, particularly over uranium.
Niger opens its doors to Russian companies for the exploration of its natural wealth, marking a strategic shift as tensions persist with French companies, particularly over uranium.
Framatome opens offices in Milan and Turin, marking a new step in Franco-Italian cooperation for the development of nuclear energy in Europe.
Framatome opens offices in Milan and Turin, marking a new step in Franco-Italian cooperation for the development of nuclear energy in Europe.
Poland strengthens its nuclear cooperation with Japan and the Netherlands, enhancing its capacity for its energy transition program.
A sample of radioactive debris from the Fukushima power plant has been secretly transported to a laboratory near Tokyo. This crucial step is part of the lengthy decommissioning process, which is expected to take several more decades.
A sample of radioactive debris from the Fukushima power plant has been secretly transported to a laboratory near Tokyo. This crucial step is part of the lengthy decommissioning process, which is expected to take several more decades.
EDF hopes to finalize new long-term electricity contracts with energy-intensive industries by the end of the year, despite criticism over high electricity prices, which threaten their competitiveness.
EDF hopes to finalize new long-term electricity contracts with energy-intensive industries by the end of the year, despite criticism over high electricity prices, which threaten their competitiveness.
EDF challenges Czech decision on nuclear contract awarded to KHNP
EDF challenges Czech decision on nuclear contract awarded to KHNP
Rwanda relies on Russia to train its nuclear energy specialists
Despite extreme weather conditions this summer, offline nuclear capacity in the United States decreased by 16% compared to 2023, thanks to a reduction in unplanned outages, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Despite extreme weather conditions this summer, offline nuclear capacity in the United States decreased by 16% compared to 2023, thanks to a reduction in unplanned outages, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The startup Calogena has taken a crucial step forward in its low-power nuclear boiler project for urban heating, submitting an application for approval to the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).
The startup Calogena has taken a crucial step forward in its low-power nuclear boiler project for urban heating, submitting an application for approval to the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).
For the first time since 2011, a sample of radioactive debris was extracted from the damaged reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. This breakthrough paves the way for new analyses essential to the decommissioning process.
For the first time since 2011, a sample of radioactive debris was extracted from the damaged reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. This breakthrough paves the way for new analyses essential to the decommissioning process.
During Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Paris, Emmanuel Macron strengthened the strategic partnership between France and Kazakhstan, offering French expertise to support the development of civilian nuclear energy in Kazakhstan.
The Nigerien junta criticizes Orano's suspension of activities, claiming the decision harms stakeholder commitments and lacks transparency, according to a document from the state-owned company Sopamin.
The Nigerien junta criticizes Orano's suspension of activities, claiming the decision harms stakeholder commitments and lacks transparency, according to a document from the state-owned company Sopamin.
The refusal by the U.S. energy regulator for an Amazon data center project powered by nuclear energy has led to a stock drop for several energy companies on the New York Stock Exchange.
The refusal by the U.S. energy regulator for an Amazon data center project powered by nuclear energy has led to a stock drop for several energy companies on the New York Stock Exchange.
GE Vernova partners with Worley Chemetics to manufacture a key component of the BWRX-300 modular reactor, aiming to enhance safety and stimulate Ontario's nuclear economy.
GE Vernova partners with Worley Chemetics to manufacture a key component of the BWRX-300 modular reactor, aiming to enhance safety and stimulate Ontario's nuclear economy.
Nearly thirteen years after the Fukushima disaster, Japan resumes operations at a nuclear reactor in the northeast, reinforced to withstand tsunamis, as the country accelerates its energy transition.
CEZ acquires a 20% stake in Rolls-Royce SMR to build small nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, aiming for stable and low-carbon energy.
CEZ acquires a 20% stake in Rolls-Royce SMR to build small nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, aiming for stable and low-carbon energy.
On Monday morning, Greenpeace activists entered the Gravelines nuclear power plant site to highlight the marine submersion risks associated with future EPR reactors, emphasizing the site’s vulnerability to rising sea levels.
On Monday morning, Greenpeace activists entered the Gravelines nuclear power plant site to highlight the marine submersion risks associated with future EPR reactors, emphasizing the site’s vulnerability to rising sea levels.
The Swedish judiciary has approved the construction of a radioactive waste disposal site in Forsmark, a long-term project designed to ensure secure storage for 100,000 years.
The Swedish judiciary has approved the construction of a radioactive waste disposal site in Forsmark, a long-term project designed to ensure secure storage for 100,000 years.

Advertising