The Government of Saskatchewan says nuclear will be the path forward for energy security in the province.
The government unveiled it’s energy security plan at an event in Saskatoon Monday morning at a Cameco office.
Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison unveiled the plan which he called an “all of the above” approach to energy security.
“It’s about using the resources we have here,” he said at the press conference.
Harrison believes the energy plan will provide a secure, reliable and affordable energy future for the province.
He says the plan will have three central elements.
The first element is a formal commitment from the province for a long-term nuclear plan in the province, which would see nuclear energy as the main source of power for the province’s energy grid.
SaskPower is already in the process of developing Small Modular Reactors in the province to meet the new commitment to nuclear power.
Harrison says this will also open the door for discussion on large nuclear reactors in the future.
According to Harrison, the second element of the plan will be to use coal to “bridge the gap” to a nuclear energy future.
“We are going to get to that future by extending the life of our coal facilities and utilizing our Saskatchewan coal reserves that have kept the lights on in this province for generations.”
“We are going to use that resource and are not going to apologize for it,” added Harrison speaking out against concerns over the use of coal as an energy source.
The third element of the plan will be major infrastructure projects to help transmission of Saskatchewan’s energy grid across the province, across the country, and into the United States.
These infrastructure projects will be undertaken over the next several years and will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
First Nation Partnerships
Harrison also says First Nation partnerships will be vital to these plans going forward.
Sheldon Wuttunnee, CEO of the First Nations Centre of Excellence, spoke at the press conference.
He says equity is very important to economic reconciliation and trust must be built with First Nations people.
“We as First Nations are seeking partnerships in these plans,” said Wuttunnee. “We look forward to the meaningful inclusion.”
Wuttunnee also made note on the concern of nuclear waste, but he believes education and capacity building will help alleviate these concerns.
In the meantime, Cameco CEO Tim Gitzel was thrilled with the decision from the government for a long-term commitment to nuclear energy.
“Today we have a real chance to not only lead the province, but the world,” said Gitzel. “Energy security is one of the most pressing issues of our time.”
The Cameco CEO also believes the government’s energy plan “a decisive plan that has decisive action.”
“Nuclear energy isn’t just part of the future, it is central to the future,” he added.
The announcement of the energy plans comes as Saskatoon is set to host the inaugural Canadian Nuclear Association CNA West Conference.
Over the next three days industry experts will talk about what a successful nuclear future in Western Canada will look like.
(TOP PHOTO – Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison unveils the province’s energy security plan at a press conference in Saskatoon. Photo by Joel Willick)