Canadian Nuclear Labs Joins National Partnership to Advance Reactor Energy Technology Internationally
National research organization Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and governmental contracting agency Canadian Commercial Corp. (CCC) are combining strengths to scale up the nation’s international opportunities for nuclear energy expansion.
The rise in data center construction and artificial intelligence energy demand is pushing companies around the world to reconsider nuclear power generation, which is carbon free and delivers the high power capacity factor necessary for commercial and industrial load.
Nuclear produces close to 15% of Canada’s electricity generation mix, compared to almost 19% in the U.S. The country is embracing research and investment in small modular reactor and advanced nuclear projects which could be delivered sometimes in the early 2030s.
Moreover, Westinghouse Electric Company has received the Letter of Interest (LOI) for $1.45 billion in financing from Export Development Canada (EDC) to support Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe’s (PEJ) AP1000 project to build Poland’s nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in Pomerania.
“Not only does this financing agreement underscore the important role Canada will play in helping Europe secure and diversify its energy future, but it will also help prepare the nation’s nuclear supply chain to support the next AP1000 plant in North America,” said Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse Energy Systems. “We appreciate the close cooperation of the EDC in helping Westinghouse make AP1000 projects a reality for its customers while bringing home economic benefits to Canada.”
While CCC will facilitate international trade, the Canadian Nuclear Labs will advance nuclear energy research. Together, the new partnership will support the continued growth, safety, and global competitiveness of the Canadian nuclear industry.
Under the agreement, CNL and CCC will utilize their strengths to track international market access and export opportunities, through activities including the promotion of Canadian nuclear expertise, technologies, and solutions in international markets; upholding the highest levels of safety, security and non-proliferation; the sourcing of critical components, technologies and services from qualified Canadian companies; and the exportation of CNL’s technologies and intellectual property.
The agreement was announced following November’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in Lima, Peru, where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada’s aim to strengthen nuclear partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region through the Canadian Trade Gateway for Nuclear Development. In December, CNL joined a Team Canada Trade Mission to Indonesia and the Philippines designed to help Canadian exporters and innovators showcase their capabilities to facilitate long-term trade and investment opportunities.
For each AP1000 unit that is built outside of Canada, Westinghouse is expected to generate almost $706.10 million in gross domestic product through local suppliers.
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Westinghouse has a fully operational Generation III+ reactor technology to be deployed in Canada and generate electricity by as early as 2035. A four-unit AP1000 facility in Canada has the ability to power at least three million homes while supporting $20.27 billion in GDP during construction and $5.72 billion in GDP annually in ongoing operations.
The four-unit project is anticipated to create 12,000 full-time Canadian jobs and provide Canadian firms opportunities to support the more than 30 AP1000 units in the pipeline globally.
