Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks to the media at a meeting of western premiers in Kananaskis, Alta., on May 25.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Saskatchewan’s premier says his government is moving forward with a plan that could see the first of two large nuclear reactors up and running in 16 years.
Scott Moe announced Tuesday they’re looking at building two large reactors somewhere in the province’s northwest, and the first could be online in 2042.
SaskPower, the province’s electrical utility, will evaluate potential locations and speak with people who live in those communities.
“We are charting a path forward for one of the largest energy economic development opportunities in our province’s history,” Moe said.
The premier said it’s premature to estimate how much the reactors would cost. New builds in the United States have been pegged in the billions of dollars.
Moe also didn’t specify where the province would construct the reactors, but said that they could be somewhere along the North Saskatchewan River.
He said the province is open to accepting private sector financing and Indigenous equity partnerships for the projects.
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The announcement comes as Saskatchewan looks to ensure its energy needs and others are met.
Moe said nuclear power will support new industrial projects and a growing population. Saskatchewan also hopes to export electricity to neighbouring provinces and the United States.
Should the reactors be built, Moe said, they would supply 2,600 megawatts by 2050 – enough to power 2.6 million homes.
Saskatchewan has 1.2 million people and currently doesn’t use nuclear power. The province is the world’s second-largest uranium producer.
The province is also exploring whether to build a small modular nuclear reactor near Estevan, southeast of Regina.
Moe said the government is looking at the Rafferty Dam as a possible site for the small reactor, though he didn’t rule out building a bigger one there.
Companies in the uranium and nuclear sector – including Cameco and AtkinsRéalis – said in statements they support the province’s plan.
Moe said companies will compete by bidding to build the reactors.
Nuclear development has come up before in Saskatchewan.
In 2008, Bruce Power proposed constructing a plant in west-central Saskatchewan. The project, facing public concern, did not proceed after former premier Brad Wall’s Saskatchewan Party government decided not to endorse it.
Moe said Tuesday times have changed and that countries around the world are planning to build more nuclear plants.
“When you attend nuclear global summits today, they are talking about the dry decade where we were not building nuclear power globally and we should have been,” he said.
“That is about to change.”