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Alberta could soon be adding nuclear energy to the list of industries powering the province.
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In a conversation between WSP sector leader for Earth and Environment, Corey McNair, and parliamentary secretary for Utilities and Affordability MLA Chantelle de Jonge on Wednesday, March 5 in the Agora, attendees at the SMR Canada Summit 2025 learned about the steps the provincial government has taken towards making nuclear a reality in Alberta and the path that lies ahead.
“I think we’ve sent a very strong signal to industry and to Albertans that this is a conversation that we want to have, and are ready to have. Of course, we’ve signed many MOUs over the last number of years both with industry partners and with other jurisdictions,” said de Jonge.
Outlining the memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signed with Ontario, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan, as well as Terrestrial Energy, X-Energy, ARC Resources, among others, de Jonge said Premiere Danielle Smith has been explicit in her mandate letters to the ministers of Energy and Minerals, Environment and Protected Areas, and Utilities and Affordability that nuclear energy is something she would like to see developed in Alberta.
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“Last year, the province released our emissions reduction and energy development plan,” said de Jonge. “SMRs are specifically mentioned in that for both electricity application but also to the decarbonized industry. I would say we’re well on our way to laying that strong foundation to take the next steps towards nuclear here in the province.”
While surveys from 2010-12 show Albertans were hesitant to embrace the new power source, de Jonge said the social conversation has since changed, noting that France, Ontario, and New Brunswick all rely substantially on nuclear for power.
Ensuring consultation with Albertans is coming soon, de Jonge said public engagement will be the next milestone in the development of the new industry.
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Other steps in moving towards nuclear include the regulatory task team made up of ministries, Alberta Energy Regulator, and Alberta Utilities Commission that aims to identify regulatory overlap with the federal government’s regulations and determine how hands-on Alberta will be in the regulatory process. Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction will also play key roles in determining the processes and policies of the new industry.
Three ongoing studies supported by Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) funds are exploring the feasibility of the project, looking at areas such as nuclear for electricity, application in industry at decarbonizing oil sands operations using the steam assets in safety operations, and repurposing an old thermal unit to be a nuclear station. The results from the studies will help the province determine the best suited applications of the technology.
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While SMRs have been explored in other areas of the country for energy purposes, de Jonge said Alberta would be the first province to adopt industrial application.
However, while de Jonge spoke with enthusiasm about the future of nuclear power, she also outlined some of the areas the province will need to work on to ensure success apart from the work being done with regards to regulators. Among those include ensuring a ready workforce, supporting the supply chain, and navigating the recently implemented tariffs from the United States. Noting that Alberta is already home to a skilled workforce, de Jonge said there is opportunity for those skilled workers to pivot into nuclear.
“We’re a province of innovators and we want to do it best… so if there’s a way to cut through red tape, we’re for that, we love cutting red tape so much we named a ministry after it,” de Jonge said.
Aiming for a sustainable electricity grid by 2050, de Jonge explained that nuclear power can play a role in emissions reduction and offers a reliable baseline power. Looking to the future, she noted that 10 years ago Alberta was largely powered by coal and today that has been eliminated, in the next 10 years, there will be just as many changes.
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