July 12, 2018 — The New Brunswick government has committed $10 million to help establish the province as a leader in the field of research and development of small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

The funding will help the New Brunswick Energy Solutions Corp. develop a nuclear research cluster in the province.

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Energy and Resource Development Minister Rick Doucet said there is increasing interest in the potential for SMR technology and the province is well-placed geographically, and through existing nuclear infrastructure and expertise, to play a role in the growth of this sector.

“New Brunswick needs to broaden its participation in new and emerging sectors,” said David Campbell, chair, New Brunswick Energy Solutions Corp. “An opportunity like this is one that this province is already well-positioned to accelerate. We already operate a conventional Candu 6 nuclear reactor and we could capitalizes from the synergies that already exist in our nuclear sector.”

The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station has been a key, non-carbon emitting base load asset for the electricity sector in New Brunswick and the Atlantic region, the provincial government said.

The provincial government and NB Power are partners in the development of Natural Resources Canada’s roadmap for small modular reactors.