Companies sign MOU to advance plans for Canadian province’s first reactor
Westinghouse and Energy Alberta have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on exploring the deployment of an AP1000 reactor in the Canadian province of Alberta.
Under the agreement, the companies will conduct joint technical and commercial discussions, business development efforts and engagement.
The collaboration is part of Energy Alberta’s plans to build Western Canada’s first nuclear plant in the Peace River area of Alberta.
Scott Henuset, chief executive officer and president of Energy Alberta, said Energy Alberta is committed to laying the groundwork for a cleaner, more reliable and resilient energy future for Albertans.
“This collaboration is an important step in our process underway to consider the best technology for the project from a safety and delivery perspective.
“The project not only positions Alberta as the Western Canadian leader in nuclear power, but also paves the way for significant economic growth and job creation across the region,” he said.
John Gorman, president of Westinghouse Canada said the company wanted to work with Alberta’s industrial supply chains to deliver a large-scale “made-in-Alberta” nuclear plant.
Canada is bullish about the prospects for nuclear energy, including large-scale units and small modular reactors (SMRs).
In May the province of Ontario and power company Ontario Power Generation approved a CAD20.9bn (€13.5bn, $15.1bn) plan to build the first of four SMRs at OPG’s Darlington site.
Other provinces, including Saskatchewan, have also said they are considering the possibility of deploying nuclear plants.
Canada has a fleet of 19 large-scale commercial nuclear power plants that provide about 14% of its electricity generation.
