More Canadian support for SMRs

28 February 2023


The Canadian government has launched an Enabling Small Modular Reactors Programme which will provide CAD29.6m ($21.8m) over four years. It will be used to develop supply chains for small modular reactor (SMR) manufacturing and fuel supply and security, and to fund research on safe SMR waste management solutions. The programme was launched at the Canadian Nuclear Association’s annual conference.

The said it “recognises the need for clean, reliable and affordable electricity to meet climate objectives and grow the use of electricity to support competitiveness and economic prosperity in all regions of the country”. It has also “committed to working with the provinces and territories to enable deployment of SMRs”.

In 2018, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) brought together provincial and territorial governments, industry, utilities, and other interested stakeholders. Over a period of 10 months they discussed Canada’s SMR opportunity, which was subsequently published as the SMR Roadmap. In 2020, NRCan released Canada’s SMR Action Plan describing ongoing and future efforts to develop SMR science and technology, and the role of SMRs in clean electrification.

The government noted that its support for SMRs continued in Budget 2022, stating that support to develop this technology can position Canada as a clean energy leader. It will support the decarbonisation of provincial electricity grids in places such as New Brunswick and Saskatchewan and will facilitate the transition away from diesel power in remote communities. It will also help to decarbonise heavy emitting industries.

The Enabling Small Modular Reactors Programme seeks to support applicants in their efforts to address waste generated from SMRs and develop supply chains for SMR manufacturing and SMR fuel supply.

The Programme “aims to support the conditions and enabling frameworks necessary for SMRs to displace fossil fuels and contribute to climate change mitigation”.

The Programme is open to R&D projects that request up to CAD5m and will provide up to 75% of the total project costs. It is anticipated that the Programme’s average funding for a project will be between CAD500,000 and CAD2.5m depending on the size, scope, timeline and leveraged funding. Programme funding is available for projects until 31 March 2027. Projects led by Indigenous applicants are eligible for funding support up to 100% of the total project costs. Indigenous applicants are defined as 51% Indigenous ownership or more.

Applicants must be a legal entity registered or incorporated in Canada. This includes:

  • For-profit and not-for-profit organisations: utilities, industry associations, research associations, companies, standards organizations, Canadian academic institutions;
  • Governments: provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments, their departments and agencies;
  • Indigenous organisations and groups: including Indigenous-controlled for-profit or non-profit organisations.

The Programme is open to the following eligible activities:

  • research, development, and related scientific activities;
  • engineering, technical and reliability assessments, feasibility studies;
  • environmental and regulatory studies.

Projects can include activities such as capacity building and training, networks, nuclear qualifications, and standards development activities, if these activities clearly support the program and project objectives.

Project concepts should address waste management for SMRs and support the creation of SMR supply chains. With respect to waste management, the Programme “will advance knowledge and understanding in management, characterisation and minimisation of SMR waste as part of the enabling frameworks for the deployment of SMRs. Projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • identifying and characterising waste streams for SMRs;
  • researching SMR waste management solutions, including interim storage and techniques/technologies that have the potential to reduce waste;
  • advancing the understanding of safeguards and proliferation-resistance of SMR fuel cycles;
  • developing strategies for intermediate level waste reduction and disposal solutions
  • advancing the understanding of the long-term safety requirements for SMR waste storage and disposal
  • exploring packaging/transportation requirements for radioactive SMR material; and
  • researching and developing techniques/technologies for managing non-fuel SMR radioactive waste and contaminated materials, such as graphite and metals.

With respect to support for the development of supply chains for SMR manufacturing and SMR fuel supply, projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • determining the types of equipment and components required to facilitate supply chain development;
  • identifying and developing innovative techniques for SMR construction, such as innovative manufacturing techniques to reduce SMR costs;
  • identifying and developing advanced manufacturing techniques/technologies where a Canadian regulatory process for approval and qualification is required;
  • performing economic impact and gap analysis on nuclear and non-nuclear supply chains related to domestic SMR deployment, including fleet deployment for electric and non-electric applications;
  • developing characterisation and examination capabilities for SMR fuels and fuel materials;
  • studying the economic impact and understanding policies related to fuel fabrication and/or enrichment in Canada;
  • exploring fuel processing options for SMR technologies relevant to Canada;
  • studying the regulatory process for licensing/certification of packaging/transporting enriched materials;
  • becoming a nuclear qualified supplier.

Projects should exclude reactor research, development and demonstration, including commercial installation. Applicants are encouraged to seek support from end-users (e.g. Province/Territory and/or utility) to ensure the project contributes towards SMR deployment plans and objectives. Applications must be received by 7 April 2023.



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