Saskatchewan nuclear feasibility study begins

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN - Bruce Power will study the potential of bringing nuclear energy to the province as part of a wider look at clean energy technologies.

The Saskatchewan 2020 initiative, unveiled in Saskatoon by Bruce Power President and CEO Duncan Hawthorne, is intended to give provincial leaders detailed information and options as they consider their electricity supply needs for the next generation. Hawthorne was joined by the Honourable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Enterprise and Innovation, and the Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister of Crown Corporations.

"Saskatchewan needs clean, affordable and reliable power to meet the future needs of a growing province. We would like to welcome Bruce Power to our province and look forward to the results of the Saskatchewan 2020 feasibility study, which we hope will lead to the creation of a nuclear option for our province," Stewart said.

Bruce Power plans to liaise with SaskPower to evaluate electricity demand projections for the province and examine what transmission upgrades or enhancements would be required to accommodate new nuclear units. "Our government is establishing a climate so companies like Bruce Power can come to our province and compete to provide the next generation of clean electricity," Cheveldayoff said.

Hawthorne praised the government for their support and foresight, saying Saskatchewan has the opportunity to become a leader in developing clean energy options over the next decade and attracting significant private investment to the province.

"The reality of climate change is upon us and the government clearly understands the need to consider all options if we are to tackle one of society's most pressing issues," Hawthorne said. "I believe nuclear energy, when properly integrated with technologies such as hydrogen, would be a worthy addition to Saskatchewan's energy mix and look forward to exploring the potential further."

As part of its Saskatchewan 2020 program, Bruce Power will consider:

• How best to integrate nuclear energy, which produces no greenhouse gases when it produces electricity, with hydrogen, wind, solar and clean coal technologies to give Saskatchewan a diverse and secure supply of clean energy for 2020 and beyond.

• The economic impacts, public attitudes and level of support for adding nuclear energy to the province's current electricity supply mix.

• Potential locations that would be suitable to host a new generating station and the provincial transmission requirements needed for new nuclear and other clean energy sources.

Bruce Power intends to begin its analysis this summer and issue a report by the end of the year. The Saskatchewan 2020 program aligns with work Bruce Power is already conducting in Alberta and Ontario as it considers building new reactors in the Peace Country north of Edmonton and at its current Ontario location approximately 250 kilometres northwest of Toronto. Canada's only private nuclear generating company, Bruce Power operates six reactor units and is in the process of restarting two more at its Bruce A generating station.

Earlier this year, Bruce Power Alberta filed an application with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for approval to prepare a site that could generate 4,000 megawatts of electricity from two to four reactors near Peace River, Alta.