Environment Minister Dustin Duncan file photo. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

By CKOM News Staff

Sask. establishes office to continue planning for nuclear power

Jun 24, 2020 | 3:35 PM

Saskatchewan’s examination of nuclear power took another step forward Wednesday.

In a media release, the provincial government announced the establishment of the Nuclear Secretariat. Its primary mandate, the release said, will be “the development and execution of a strategic plan for deployment of clean energy small modular reactors.”

Premier Scott Moe signed a memorandum of understanding with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs in December, under which the provinces promised to work together on the development and deployment of small modular reactors.

The next day, Environment Minister Dustin Duncan said Saskatchewan was set to examine all options — including nuclear power.

The creation of the office of the Nuclear Secretariat continues that process.

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“The deployment of small modular reactors in Saskatchewan will require collaboration with several partners to fully encompass the benefits Saskatchewan could see in way of jobs, enhanced value-chains for Saskatchewan’s uranium, and our made-in-Saskatchewan climate policy,” Duncan said in the release.

Small modular reactors can produce electricity in the range of 50 to 300 megawatts, whereas standard nuclear power plants range between 600 and 1,600 megawatts. The small modular reactors can provide baseload power for an electrical grid.

“Clean nuclear energy will provide Saskatchewan the tools to fight climate change,” Duncan said in the release. “The advancement of small modular reactors in Canada brings economic and environmental benefits with new clean technology that is also safe, reliable and competitively priced power.”