Additional Information About Nuclear

SRC and Westinghouse signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2022 to jointly develop a project to locate an eVinci® microreactor in Saskatchewan.

There are many companies worldwide attempting to design nuclear microreactors. SRC wanted to work with Westinghouse because of their extensive experience over decades in designing and building nuclear reactors. Westinghouse also has the resources required to implement their design. Additionally, the features of eVinci® microreactor are well-suited for Saskatchewan applications.

The eVinci® microreactor is a relatively simple design compared to traditional nuclear reactors and contains diverse and multiple safety features. A key safety feature is the accident-tolerant fuel, which is structurally more resistant than traditional reactor fuels. Each individual fuel particle is triple-coated with carbon and ceramic-based materials, providing shielding that acts as a containment system to withstand high temperatures and irradiation in advanced reactors. 

All nuclear-related activities in Canada are regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), whose mandate is to protect health, safety, security and the environment. The project will require licenses through CNSC for eVinci® microreactors to operate in Saskatchewan.

There are several environmental benefits to nuclear energy, which is internationally recognized as having a key role in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, Saskatchewan’s communities and industries that are off-grid or edge-of-grid rely on sources such as diesel or propane to generate heat and power. Nuclear microreactors can be ideal solutions for providing reliable, clean energy in these locations.

An eVinci® microreactor can power the equivalent of 5,500 homes for 8 years on its original fuel. The used fuel from the microreactor over that time period would only fill half of a hockey net. Used fuel will require long-term storage, which will be the responsibility of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. In terms of environmental benefit, it would require burning 1 million drums of diesel, which would create 440,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, to achieve the same power output as an eVinci.

Another benefit of microreactors is they have a much smaller geographic footprint compared to other non-emitting energy sources such as wind or solar to achieve the same energy output.

Environmental assessments will be required as part of the licensing process with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

The implementation of the first microreactor in Saskatchewan will be in the 2030s. More details to come as project planning advances.