March 19, 2024 – Prodigy Clean Energy and Des Nëdhé Group (an Indigenous economic development corporation) announced a Memorandum of Understanding to develop opportunities to power remote mines and communities in Canada utilizing Prodigy transportable nuclear power plants (TNPPs).

“Prodigy’s microreactor TNPP offers a near-term solution to transition remote locations off of diesel,” said Mathias Trojer, president & CEO, Prodigy. “Meeting Indigenous peoples’ requirements for TNPP design and energy delivery, and ensuring maximal participation of Indigenous groups as part of our technology development and commercialization programs, are cornerstone to our success. We are privileged to partner with Des Nëdhé to put these objectives into action.”

Under the MoU, Prodigy and Des Nëdhé will explore potential TNPP projects, and engage with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities to identify ways in which they could have ownership in TNPP new-builds, and how “an Indigenous workforce could take a leading role in TNPP commercialization and strategic infrastructure development”.

The Prodigy Microreactor Power Station TNPP, which is able to integrate different types of microreactors, would be manufactured, outfitted, and partially commissioned in a shipyard, then transported to site for installation.

Prodigy says the power plant would require minimal site preparation as compared to a site-constructed small modular reactor (SMR). The company is collaborating with Westinghouse to develop a TNPP outfitted with the Westinghouse eVinci microreactor.

“Ensuring a secure, carbon-free, and affordable electricity and heat supply for all of Canada is crucial […]” said Sean Willy, president & CEO, Des Nëdhé Group. “The end use opportunity for TNPPs across remote industrial and residential power in Canada is very significant.”

Conceptual illustration of Prodigy’s Microreactor Power Station TNPP. This variant is marine transported and coastally installed on land. Source: Business Wire/Prodigy Clean Energy.