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The Saskatchewan First Energy Security Strategy and Supply Plan sets out the government's vision and long-term strategy for electricity in the province. Prioritising energy security, this vision involves a significant change in policy and thinking for Crown energy utilities, the document says.
The plan sees the provincial government reiterate its commitments to nuclear power, as communicated in the provincial Growth Plan and the Interprovincial Strategic Plan on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Specifically, it says, the Government of Saskatchewan will continue to examine the feasibility of two SMR units near Estevan, and evaluate the feasibility of large reactors and/or advanced SMRs to meet industry demand for electricity and heat to identify if either can be economically deployed in Saskatchewan.
To provide a reliable baseload power "bridge" to nuclear power generation, Crown utility SaskPower will extend the life of up to 1530 MW of existing coal-fired power assets "beyond 2030 and out as far as 2050". The strategy also lays out a new path going forward on grid reliability and transmission investments.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to a nuclear future utilising our amazing Saskatchewan uranium resource to power our province and provide a secure energy future," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "We are going to get to that future by extending the life of our coal facilities and utilising our Saskatchewan coal reserves that have kept the lights on in this province for generations. This plan is based in reality."
The plan was launched at an event hosted by Cameco, and the company's CEO Tim Gitzel said it was pleased to see the provincial government's ongoing commitment to introducing nuclear energy in Saskatchewan. "Jurisdictions around the world are turning to nuclear power to address the pressing issues of energy security, national security and climate security. Nuclear energy - fuelled by Saskatchewan uranium - can provide reliable, carbon-free baseload power to help meet increasing electricity demands into the future," he said.
SaskPower has previously selected GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300 SMR for potential deployment in the province in the mid-2030s. It announced last year that it had identified two potential sites for SMR deployment, both in the Estevan area in the south-east of the province. A final site selection had been pencilled in for this year, although the government now says a decision is expected in 2026. It also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Cameco and Westinghouse to explore technical and commercial pathways to deploy Westinghouse's reactor technology, including the advanced AP1000 reactor and AP300 SMR for long-term electricity supply planning.
The province will continue to support the development of micro-reactor technologies through the Saskatchewan Research Council. "The development of nuclear power in Saskatchewan could create a new industry that generates billions of dollars in annual economic activity for the province, but will require prudent decision making, careful assessment of long-term benefits and costs, planning, and the discipline to adhere to budgets and timelines," the strategy notes.
The provincial government said it will prioritise Indigenous partnerships, procurement, and training and employment, in the development of electricity projects.
The release of the new strategy comes as the provincial government proclaimed the week of 20-24 October as Saskatchewan's inaugural Nuclear Science Week, to highlight the "significant progress and strengths in advancing nuclear energy and research in the region".
