Ottawa to make major investments in nuclear projects in Cambridge and Clarington, Ontario

Ottawa has entered into a preliminary agreement with AtkinsRéalis to design a new, large-scale, natural uranium–fuelled CANDU nuclear reactor.

The conceptual design of the 1,000 megawatt Candu Monark, a Generation III+ reactor was unveiled in November 2023 and AtkinsRéalis plans to complete the preliminary engineering by 2027.

Federal Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson was in Cambridge Thursday to make the announcement, which will see Ottawa lend AtkinsRéalis a maximum of $304 million over four years to finance half of the design project. The work will also include Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and the broader Canadian supply chain.

AECL owns the CANDU intellectual property and is working with AtkinsRéalis to leverage it for success in today’s energy markets.

“Nuclear is an integral part of Canada’s resilient and independent energy future, and CANDU technology is helping us get there, while creating good domestic jobs and supporting international Canadian energy exports,” said Wilkinson. “By advancing innovative projects like MONARK reactors, this government is reinforcing our commitment to domestically sourced and processed uranium, which is creating good-paying jobs in Ontario and throughout the country.”

In addition to investing in large-scale nuclear technology, Canada is also looking at opportunities for emerging technologies such as small modular reactors and announced $55 million in funding for Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington New Nuclear Project.

Four new BWRX-300 SMRs are under construction at the Clarington nuclear site, with each SMR producing 300 megawatts of power, enough to power 300,000 homes.

The reactors also produce zero greenhouse-gas emissions during operation.

“Through investments in Darlington and SMRs in Alberta, we are providing a powerful example of how public and private sectors can work together to enhance energy security; advance cutting-edge, made-in-Canada nuclear technologies; and deliver a clean and reliable energy future,” Wilkinson added.

MONARK nuclear project

While the SMRs use American and other international technology, CANDU reactors maintain an almost entirely Canadian-made, Canadian-designed supply chain through a consortium of Canadian companies, as well as good-paying, long-lasting and sustainable jobs in manufacturing for Canadians, said Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault. CANDU reactors are also fuelled by uranium mined in Saskatchewan without the need for enrichment.

“Canada’s power sector has made significant progress in driving down emissions while expanding carbon-free power generation from renewables and nuclear – including by phasing out coal-fired electricity generation and scaling energy storage,” he said. “I congratulate our partners on the investments announced today, which represent a strong step forward for the economy, for jobs and for climate action. Together, with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, municipalities, utilities and workers, we are building a historic amount of clean, affordable and reliable electricity to power Canada into the future.”

The design work in Cambridge is expected to provide about 350 full-time jobs, with construction to begin as early as 2029 and completion in the mid-2030s.

“We are honoured to have the full faith and confidence of the government of Canada in continuing our development of proven home-grown CANDU technology,” said AtkinsRéalis CEO Ian Edwards.

“The federal government’s decision today – to invest in the further development of CANDU technology, an evolution of the proven Darlington reactor model – will enable us to continue this important work already underway with our utility partners. Advancing CANDU technology creates economic value for the country and Canadians; ensures energy security at this critical time; improves health outcomes through the creation of more cancer-fighting isotopes; builds stronger and more resilient relationships with Indigenous Peoples, workers and communities; and – above all – maintains Canada’s status as a Tier-1 nuclear nation.”

Wilkinson also highlighted a total investment of $52.4 million for various projects supporting the development and deployment of SMRs and CANDU reactors and decarbonization efforts in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario. The funding includes $11.4 million from the Enabling SMRs Program for three projects and $41 million for four projects under NRCan’s Electricity Predevelopment Program.

INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies