Sask. inks new partnership with Alberta on nuclear power, decarbonization

The governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta have joined forces as they push ahead with the development of nuclear power.

The provinces signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday, agreeing to collaborate and share information in areas like nuclear supply chains, workforce development, fuel supply and the development and regulation of reactor technologies, including small modular reactors. The provinces also agreed to work together to share advancements in industrial decarbonization and enhance the capabilities of their power grids.

According to SaskPower, small modular reactors produce reliable electricity with zero greenhouse gas emissions. The province has not yet committed to use the reactors for power generation, with that decision expected in 2029. If approved, the reactors could be up and running Saskatchewan by the mid-2030s.

Dustin Duncan, the minister responsible for Saskatchewan’s Crown Investments Corporation, said the two provinces have long co-operated on energy development, and face similar sets of challenges and opportunities when it comes to decarbonization.

READ MORE:

• Federal minister says nuclear power is key part of renewable energy expansion
• Nuclear microreactor to come online in Sask. by 2029

“I look forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Alberta on meeting the power needs of our provinces, while growing our economies and introducing new nuclear industries,” Duncan said in a statement.

Nathan Neudorf, Alberta’s minister of affordability and utilities, said the province is “proud to partner with Saskatchewan” as the two governments work together to improve their power grids.

“Our provinces are leading the world in responsible energy development, and we look forward to learning from Saskatchewan’s experience with nuclear generation,” Neudorf said in a statement.

Saskatchewan previously signed an agreement with Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick to advance the development of small modular reactors, and a strategic plan was released in 2022.

“The new, bilateral MOU between Saskatchewan and Alberta has additional areas of interest such as industrial decarbonization and grid reliability,” the Government of Saskatchewan noted.

On Monday, the provincial government announced it was joining the CANDU Owners Group, allowing it to draw on four decades of Canadian nuclear power experience as the Saskatchewan Research Council works to bring the province’s first nuclear microreactor online by 2029.