Nuclear energy is the right option for Saskatchewan, says new SaskPower CEO

In his new role as Executive Vice-President of Nuclear Development, Leonard Clewett is excited about SaskPower’s plans for nuclear power generation in the province. (Supplied/SaskPower)

Clewett was a guest on CKOM’s Evan Bray Show this week and discussed some of the benefits of nuclear energy, particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

He noted that SaskPower already aims to add 3,000 megawatts of wind and solar energy by 2035.

“But you certainly need baseload generation, and I think Canada and many other places around the world are looking to nuclear to meet that need,” Clewett said.

SaskPower is also looking at sites for a small modular reactor (SMR). It was recently announced that Estevan had been selected as the site, with two potential sites, either at Rafferty or Boundary Dam. Clewett said SaskPower is conducting further research, with a final site selection likely in 2025.

Clewett said there were a number of factors that counted in Estevan’s favor as an SMR site. He pointed to access to transmission as one of the variables.

“The workforce there, the talented workforce that has been committed to SaskPower for years, was another factor,” he said.

Clewett said the utility would consider making the switch to nuclear power if it decides to locate an SMR there.

Clewett also discussed SaskPower’s entry into the CANDU Owners Group, a non-profit nuclear energy organization made up of groups that operate CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactors.

He said it “provides that central focus for Canada’s plants,” adding that SaskPower would join a number of other groups such as the safety-focused World Association of Nuclear Operators to “help us ensure that we leverage all of the lessons learned and experiences gained over the many years of nuclear power generation.”