GEH SMR Technologies Canada and the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Supplier’s Association (SIMSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 25 May to cooperate to support the potential deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) in Saskatchewan.
GEH SMR Canada and SIMSA agree to collaborate in engaging with local suppliers to maximise the role of the Saskatchewan supply chain in the nuclear energy industry. “Canada has a robust nuclear energy supply chain and through this memorandum of understanding with SIMSA, we look forward to growing the supply chain further to support the deployment of the BWRX-300,” said Lisa McBride, Country Leader, GEH SMR Canada.
SIMSA is a non-profit organisation which includes over 300 member companies in Saskatchewan from the manufacturing, construction, engineering, mining and energy sectors. SIMSA seeks to connect local member businesses in traditional and emerging industries to nuclear opportunities in Saskatchewan, in order to drive economic growth and job creation while supporting innovation.
“SMRs are a safe and practical solution to decarbonising Saskatchewan’s power grid,” said SIMSA Executive Director Eric Anderson. “SIMSA and its members will take a leading role in their deployment in order to see the greatest economic benefit land in Saskatchewan.”
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) has also been selected by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) as the 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 March, the governments of Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Alberta released a strategic plan for the deployment of SMRs. The plan identifies priority areas for SMR deployment including Stream 1, a grid-scale SMR project at the Darlington nuclear site and subsequent units in Saskatchewan.
