Canada Builds Out Nuclear Power Infrastructure

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Written by Danny Levin, Deputy Editor for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

Seeking to enhance its energy security and meet growing demand, Canada continues to build out its nuclear power footprint. Industrial Info Resources is tracking $89 billion worth of active and planned nuclear power projects across Canada.

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Why Nuclear?

Industrial Info Resources data show there is $89 billion worth of nuclear power projects across Canada. While much of the investment is still in the pre-construction stages, the country's first small modular reactor (SMR) is under construction.

According to the World Nuclear Association, as of September 13, about 15% of the country's electricity comes from nuclear power, with 17 reactors mostly in Ontario providing 12.7 gigawatts-electric (GWe) of power capacity.

Canada has implemented a series of initiatives and project activity over the last 10 years regarding nuclear power, the most recent of which was the federal government's Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada launched in June. Key objectives include:

• Enabling the construction of up to 10 new large-scale reactors, with two under construction by 2035 and five more planned or under development by 2040
• At least one nuclear deployment, including an SMR, operational or under construction outside Ontario by 2035
• Doubling Canadian uranium exports over the 10 years to 2035

Announcing the initiative, the federal government projected electricity capacity will double over the next 25 years "driven by electrification of transportation, buildings, heavy industry, and data infrastructure."

"Ontario utilities are advancing plans for major large-reactor builds to complement the first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) in the G7," the government said. "Alberta is developing a nuclear roadmap. Saskatchewan is pursuing both large and small reactor builds. New Brunswick is exploring expansion at Point Lepreau."

Canada's Nuclear Investment

That first SMR is already under construction and expected to be online by 2030: it would be the first of four SMRs at the Darlington site in Bowmanville in southern Ontario. The initial unit will feature 300 megawatts (MW) of capacity, while the total output of the four units (1,200 MW) would supply enough power to meet the demands of 1.2 million households. Industrial Info Resources offers more information on the SMR project in its Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Plant and Project databases, where subscribers can find details--including construction schedules, investment values and necessary equipment--in a plant profile and project report.

Other projects underway include the modernization of the 825-MW Unit 4 at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Ontario, which entails refurbishing the Siemens Energy steam turbine generator and the Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactor. Developed by Canada, CANDU reactors are a type of heavy-water reactor that relies on natural uranium rather than enriched uranium for fuel. Readers can view the project report and plant profile.

Bruce supplies about 30% of Ontario's electricity. About 50% of the province's electricity is generated from nuclear reactors.

Another major effort gearing up is Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) refurbishment of units 5 to 8 at the Pickering Nuclear Power Station, also in Ontario, which is expected to keep the plant offline through the mid-2030s. The units already are offline ahead of reactor work expected to begin early next year. Once complete, the refurbished station will supply up to 2,200 MW. The plant previously supplied about 14% of the province's electricity.

According to the Ontario government, "The Pickering refurbishment is part of Ontario's broader plan to expand nuclear generation and strengthen a tariff-proof, recession-proof, and almost entirely made-in-Canada industry."

Other nuclear-power projects being developed across Canada include a SMR in Saskatchewan and Point Lepreau, New Brunswick, respectively.

Industrial Info Resources offers a full list of active and planned nuclear-power projects across Canada.

Key Takeaways

• $89 billion: Total value of active and proposed nuclear-power projects across Canada.
• Construction of the SMR at Darlington is underway.
• OPG's Pickering Nuclear station is expected to be offline through the mid-2030s for the refurbishment of its four active units.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).