GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) has said that its BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) has been selected by Canada’s SaskPower for potential deployment in the mid-2030s. GEH President & CEO Jay Wileman said the BWRX-300 “is the ideal SMR technology solution for SaskPower”. He added: “There is the potential for great synergy between the work we plan to do with SaskPower and the ongoing work with Ontario Power Generation (OPG). OPG is expected to submit a construction licence application this year, a major step toward the deployment of the first BWRX-300.”
“This is an important milestone as Saskatchewan works towards a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said Don Morgan, Minister responsible for SaskPower. “Conducting an independent and comprehensive evaluation while also collaborating with the other provinces on the SMR Strategic Direction has been extremely valuable in reaching this important milestone to potentially bring nuclear power to Saskatchewan.”
In December 2021, GEH was chosen by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) as technology partner for the Darlington New Nuclear Project. GEH is working with OPG to deploy a BWRX-300 at the Darlington site that could be complete as early as 2028.
In July 2021, GEH and Cameco Corporation announced a collaboration through which the companies would explore areas of cooperation to advance the commercialisation of the BWRX-300. In May 2022, GEH SMR Canada and the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Supplier’s Association (SIMSA) agreed to cooperate to support the potential deployment of the BWRX-300 in Saskatchewan.
Image: GEH's vision of the BWRX-300 plant (photo courtesy of GEH)
