Saskatchewan, Canada Releases Long-Term Nuclear Energy Strategy: Plans to Build 2,600 MW of Nuclear Power by 2050

Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan, Canada, officially announced the province's long-term nuclear energy development plan in Saskatoon on September 29, establishing a strategic goal of building at least 2,600 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power capacity by 2050. Moe emphasized that nuclear energy is not only a zero-carbon clean baseload power source, but also a “nation-building opportunity” that empowers economic growth for generations, will create high-end jobs across the province, attract multinational capital, and ensure long-term electricity stability for households and industry.

According to the plan, four core pillars have been established:

1. Build a highly resilient power foundation supporting long-term economic growth: Rely on non-intermittent zero-carbon nuclear energy to address the electricity load gap brought about by society-wide electrification;

2. Incorporate large commercial nuclear reactors into the province's medium- and long-term power planning: Promote SaskPower to initiate preliminary site selection and feasibility studies for a large nuclear power plant site in northwestern Saskatchewan;

3. Accelerate the Estevan small modular reactor (SMR) demonstration project: Continue advancing early-to-mid-stage SMR site selection and environmental technical reviews;

4. Revitalize and amplify existing nuclear industry and research core capabilities: Collaborate with global uranium mining leaders and the local engineering supply chain to build a nuclear energy industry hub.

Of the total 2,600 MW capacity target, more than 2,000 MW will be provided by large conventional nuclear reactors, with the first large unit planned to enter commercial operation by 2042. For comparison, 600 MW of electricity is sufficient to fully cover the residential electricity needs of Saskatchewan's two largest cities, Regina and Saskatoon, while 2,600 MW of nuclear power capacity would be enough to provide round-the-clock electricity support for the equivalent of 2.6 million households. Jeremy Harrison, President of Crown Investments Corporation, which manages Saskatchewan's official investments, stated that the 2042 commercial operation of the first large reactor is a “highly actionable and pragmatic timeline.” The provincial government has engaged in efficient multilateral consultations with the Canadian federal government as well as Alberta and the Northwest Territories, and noted that the full nuclear power industry chain is expected to closely connect eastern and western provinces such as Ontario and New Brunswick.