Saskatchewan Invests $80M In Province’s First Nuclear Microreactor

Saskatchewan has invested $80 million to develop the Westinghouse eVinci Microreactor. It's expected to be ready by 2029. Courtesy of Westinghouse

The Saskatchewan government has announced funding for the province’s first nuclear microreactor, which is expected to be up and running by 2029.

Premier Scott Moe said the government has put $80 million into the project, which will be run by the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC).

Mr. Moe said the project could transform the province’s economy and energy industry.

“This is a very important day ... from the province’s perspective on where we are going over the next three, five, and 10 years, not only for our own electricity production, but how we are making every effort to be at the centre of really a global shift. A global shift to cleaner nuclear power in many, many countries around the world,” Mr. Moe told reporters following the announcement.

“At the end of the day, there’s going to be, yes renewables, and there’s going to be nuclear power.”

The machine will be built by Westinghouse Electric Company, which is partially owned by Saskatchewan-based Cameco.

“Our vision is to see the first eVinci microreactor in an industrial application and lay the groundwork for many more projects in the future,” SRC president and CEO Mike Crabtree said in a government news release. “What we learn through this project will prepare SRC to assist communities and industries in future projects.”

The eVinci microreactor will be able to produce five megawatts of electricity with over 13 megawatts of high temperature heat, according to the Westinghouse website.

The microreactor infrastructure is less than two-thirds the size of a hockey rink and is estimated to prevent 55,000 tons of C02 emissions annually.

“The eVinciTM battery technology is the perfect fit for Saskatchewan since it is fully transportable,” Westinghouse President and CEO Patrick Fragman said. “It also provides carbon-free electricity and heat, uses no water, and can be completely removed from site after operating continuously for eight years or more.”

Carbon Emission Conflict

Mr. Moe’s government has been at the forefront of a battle with the federal government over clean energy regulations and the carbon tax.

In a video posted to social media on Oct. 30, he called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to remove the carbon tax from all forms of home heating.

Last month, Mr. Trudeau announced that he would pause the carbon tax on heating oil for three years, something that largely benefits Atlantic Canada. He later said there would “not be any other carve-outs” of the tax for other home heating sources.

In early November, several premiers, including Mr. Moe, sent the prime minister a joint letter calling for equitable treatment across Canada.

“It is of vital importance that federal policies and programs are made available to all Canadians in a fair and equitable way. By singling out Atlantic Canadians with this relief, it has caused divisions across the country,” the premiers wrote.

“We are calling on the federal government to do the right thing and treat all Canadians fairly by removing the federal carbon tax from all forms of home heating.”

Mr. Moe’s government has introduced a bill into the provincial legislature that would allow the government to stop collecting the carbon tax on home heating.

The SaskEnergy (Carbon Tax Fairness for Families) Amendment Act would appoint the provincial government as the sole registered distributor of natural gas in Saskatchewan. It’s a way to protect Crown corporation SaskEnergy and all of its current and former directors, officers, employees, and other associates from any legal consequences of not remitting the carbon tax.

Mr. Moe said in the social media video that his government would no longer collect the tax on natural gas starting on Jan. 1, 2024.

The move was supported by the opposition NDP.

“Directing SaskEnergy to not collect the federal carbon tax is an extraordinary but justified measure if a deal to restore fairness can’t be found,” NDP Leader Carla Beck said in the legislature on Oct. 30.