On March 18, the federal government announced more than $50 million in funding for SMR development and research in New Brunswick. From left to right, Saint John Mayor Don Darling, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, Moltex CEO North America Rory O’Sullivan, Saint John Rothesay MP Wayne Long, University of New Brunswick President Paul Mazerolle.
The following statement was issued today by Colleen d’Entremont, President of the Atlantica Centre for Energy, following federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s announcement on small modular reactor (SMR) development:
The Atlantica Centre for Energy applauds the federal government’s decision to invest in the research and development of small modular reactor technology in New Brunswick.
This investment helps to fuel pioneering research in New Brunswick, ushering in the development of a whole new economic cluster around clean energy in New Brunswick and beyond.
It’s another step toward establishing the province as a global leader in SMR technology. The funding propels forward advanced research already underway here on SMRs by ARC Clean Energy Canada and Moltex Energy Canada.
During the next decade, these companies will join the University of New Brunswick, NB Power and others in creating a site at Point Lepreau for the development of SMRs.
It also opens up opportunities for businesses and First Nations across the Maritimes to become part of the supply chain for SMRs and their development. In fact, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Nov. 16, creating an economic cluster between NBPower, ARC and Moltex to develop supply opportunities with existing companies in this region.
Moreover, advancing this technology complements renewable energy by providing a steady supply of emission-free energy when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing and provides the best promise for Canada in reaching its carbon emissions reductions targets for 2050.