Small Modular Reactors in Canada

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are viewed as a potential source of reliable, emissions-free electricity in Canada, capable of replacing fossil-fuel baseload plants and diesel generators in remote areas. While Canada possesses an established nuclear industry and uranium reserves, SMRs are currently classified as 'wild cards' because they are not yet commercially viable and face significant technical, financial, and regulatory hurdles. Current Canadian efforts include a joint strategic plan by Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, with specific projects such as a reactor at the Darlington site and a micro-reactor at Chalk River. However, global examples, such as cancelled projects in the United States, highlight a trend of mounting costs and lengthening timelines that challenge the technology's competitiveness against wind and solar power.

• Small modular reactors (SMRs) are defined as nuclear power technology with a scale of 300 megawatts or less per reactor, which is significantly smaller than conventional reactors that produce 1,000 megawatts or more. They offer advantages over conventional plants through modular design, shorter construction times, passive safety systems, and lower fuel and waste generation.
• Despite Canada's strengths in nuclear research and uranium reserves, SMRs are considered 'wild cards' because they lack commercial viability and must compete on cost with other non-emitting power sources. The technology faces systemic issues including mounting costs and lengthening project timelines.
• Canada has several active SMR initiatives: Ontario Power Generation is seeking to build a reactor up to 300 megawatts at the Darlington site by the end of the decade; Saskatchewan aims for its first SMR by 2034; New Brunswick is developing technology for electricity and steam heat; and Global First Power is developing a micro-reactor under five megawatts at Chalk River, Ontario.
• Significant barriers to SMR adoption include high costs, social opposition regarding nuclear waste and safety, and non-standardized regulatory licensing processes. Additionally, many SMR designs require a more heavily enriched form of nuclear fuel (richer in uranium-235) for which supply chains are not yet established in Canada.
• The Canadian federal government has provided financial support, including $70 million in the 2022 budget for fuel production and waste handling and $51 million for regulatory capacity.

APA

Canadian Climate Institute (2024). Small Modular Reactors in Canada. https://climateinstitute.ca/safe-bets-wild-cards/small-modular-reactors-in-canada/

Chicago

Canadian Climate Institute. Small Modular Reactors in Canada. 2024. https://climateinstitute.ca/safe-bets-wild-cards/small-modular-reactors-in-canada/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Climate Institute |title=Small Modular Reactors in Canada |date=3 December 2024 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/safe-bets-wild-cards/small-modular-reactors-in-canada/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianclimateinstitute2024small, author = {{Canadian Climate Institute}}, title = {{Small Modular Reactors in Canada}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2024}, month = dec, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/safe-bets-wild-cards/small-modular-reactors-in-canada/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }