Saskatchewan proposes large-scale nuclear reactor project

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced intentions to build two large-scale nuclear reactors to achieve 2,000 megawatts of generating capacity in northwest Saskatchewan. This proposal has raised questions regarding the economic impact on a relatively small provincial economy and the potential for significant cost overruns.

Estimates suggest a single 1,000-MW reactor could cost between $15 billion and $26 billion, potentially placing the total two-reactor project in the $30 billion to $50 billion range. Historical precedents, such as the Darlington nuclear power plant in Ontario and the Point Lepreau reactor in New Brunswick, serve as cautionary examples of high capital costs and debt.

AtkinsRéalis, which holds the intellectual property for the Canadian-designed CANDU reactor, is among the competitors for the project. The company is offering two designs: the 950-MW MONARK and the smaller 750-MW EC6. While the MONARK aligns with the two-unit goal, the EC6 would require three units to meet the province's stated capacity requirements.