GEH SMR Canada and Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association to Collaborate in Support of Potential BWRX-300 Deployment
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan—May 26, 2022—GEH SMR Technologies Canada, Ltd. (GEH SMR Canada) and the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Supplier’s Association (SIMSA) have agreed to cooperate to support the potential deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) in Saskatchewan.
Through a memorandum of understanding, GEH SMR Canada and SIMSA agree to collaborate in engaging with local suppliers to maximize the role of the Saskatchewan supply chain in the nuclear energy industry.
“Canada has a robust nuclear energy supply chain and through this memorandum of understanding with SIMSA, we look forward to growing the supply chain further to support the deployment of the BWRX-300,” said Lisa McBride, Country Leader, GEH SMR Canada.
SIMSA is a non-profit organisation which includes over 300 member companies in Saskatchewan from the manufacturing, construction, engineering, mining and energy sectors. SIMSA seeks to connect local member businesses in traditional and emerging industries to nuclear opportunities in Saskatchewan, in order to drive economic growth and job creation while supporting innovation.
“SMRs are a safe and practical solution to decarbonizing Saskatchewan’s power grid,” said Eric Anderson, Executive Director of SIMSA. “SIMSA and its members will take a leading role in their deployment in order to see the greatest economic benefit land in Saskatchewan.”
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) has been selected by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) as the technology partner for the Darlington New Nuclear Project. GEH is working with OPG to deploy a BWRX-300 at the Darlington site that could be complete as early as 2028.
In March, the governments of Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Alberta released a strategic plan for the deployment of SMRs. The plan identifies priority areas for SMR deployment including Stream 1, a grid-scale SMR project at the Darlington nuclear site and subsequent units in Saskatchewan.
GE’s support for the Canadian nuclear industry dates to the early 1950s. The company helped build the first Canadian nuclear power plant, the Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) reactor that became the basis for the entire CANDU fleet. Today, GEH is partnering with several Canadian firms as it builds a supply chain to support deployment of the BWRX-300. Advanced nuclear technologies like the BWRX-300 are a key pillar of GE’s energy transition leadership.
About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety. Follow GEH on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About GEH SMR Canada
Based in Markham, Ontario, GEH SMR Technologies Canada, Ltd. is supporting the deployment of the BWRX-300 in Canada through collaboration with Canadian customers, stakeholders, suppliers and partners.
About SIMSA
The Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association’s (SIMSA) is a non-profit organisation which includes over 300-member companies in Saskatchewan – representing over $15 billion in annual sales and 30,000 employees; our membership has grown by over 40% through the COVID-19 pandemic and shows no sign of slowing. Its members come from the manufacturing, construction, engineering, mining, and energy sectors. SIMSA is the only construction related association in the province requiring its members to have a permanent physical presence in Saskatchewan. SIMSA believes that if the mining, energy, and industrial companies or project developers do well, they do well.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jon Allen
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
+1 910 819 2581
jonathan.allen1@ge.com
