Pickering Nuclear Generating Station
Backgrounder
On March 5, 2025, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced several investments that demonstrate Canada’s commitment to clean energy, innovation and energy security as it continues to move toward a low-carbon economy.
Notably, Minister Wilkinson announced a key milestone in the future of the only made-in-Canada large-scale nuclear technology, the CANDU reactor, as well as funding in support of emerging technologies that are being developed through leveraging international collaboration.
Project Name: Next generation of CANDU
Recipient: AtkinsRéalis
Reach: Ontario
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Funding: $304 million through a loan over four years, matched by AtkinsRéalis
Project Summary: This project aims to deliver a standard design for the latest upgrade to Canada’s homegrown CANDU technology, to help it compete in modern markets.
Proceeds Under Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Future Electricity Fund (FEF):
Project Name: Darlington New Nuclear Project
Recipient: Ontario Power Generation
Reach: Ontario
Location: Darlington, Ontario
Proceeds from FEF: $55,000,000
Project Summary: This project will see Ontario Power Generation Inc. use FEF funds to support the predevelopment activities required to advance small modular reactor (SMR) implementation at its Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP) site. The project will support site planning, site preparation, various procurements and regulatory approvals for the three new SMRs at the DNNP site (Units 2, 3 and 4).
Project Name: Small Modular Reactor Predevelopment
Recipient: Saskatchewan Government’s Crown Investments Corporation (CIC)
Reach: Saskatchewan
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Proceeds from FEF: $80,000,000 (initial contribution was $24,000,000)
Project Summary: SMR development in Saskatchewan, led by SaskPower. This funding will support pre-engineering work and technical studies, environmental assessments, regulatory studies and community and Indigenous engagement to help advance this important project.
Funding Under NRCan’s Enabling Small Modular Reactors Program:
Project Name: Safety Assessment and Fuel Evaluation of TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) (SAFE-T)
Recipient: Western University
Reach: Ontario
Location: London, Ontario
Funding from the Program: $4,999,996
Project Summary: The University of Western Ontario will receive a total of $4,999,996 over three years for its project to conduct a detailed study of TRISO-based used fuel properties and characteristics. The project will seek to advance knowledge and understanding of the management, characterization and minimization of TRISO-based fuel waste.
Project Name: Supporting the Canadian Nuclear Industry with Guidelines, Strategies and Standards for SMR and MMR Deployment
Recipient: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Ltd.
Reach: Pan-Canadian
Location: Chalk River, Ontario
Funding from the Program: $3,537,809
Project Summary: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories will receive a total of $3,537,809 over three years for its project on developing guidelines, strategies and standards for small modular reactor (SMR) deployment to support the Canadian nuclear industry. The project will undertake work to develop guidelines for implementing advanced manufacturing technologies within the Canadian nuclear framework of codes and standards and to develop guidelines for performing fuel qualification within the Canadian regulatory context. The project will also aim to minimize the creation of SMR wastes and optimize SMR waste management.
Project Name: Accelerating Supply Chain Readiness and Participation in Saskatchewan for SMRs and Fuel Supply
Recipient: Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA)
Reach: Saskatchewan
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Funding from the Program: $2,830,385
Project Summary: The Project aims to evaluate the capabilities of the existing supply chain in Saskatchewan, including Indigenous suppliers, and identify the technical requirements, gaps, opportunities and barriers relating to the manufacturing, fuel cycle, construction and operations of SMRs.
NRCan Funding Under the Electricity Predevelopment Program (EPP):
Project Name: Restructured Energy Market
Recipient: Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO)
Reach: Alberta
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Funding from EPP: $18,559,590
Project Summary: The project will advance implementation of the IT system needed for AESO to operate the Restructured Energy Market and to better incorporate and manage the increased complexity in market and grid operations caused by increased market variability from clean electricity generation.
Project Name: Alberta Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Site Evaluation
Recipient: Capital Power Limited Partnership
Reach: Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Funding from EPP: $13,000,000
Project Summary: This project will develop an assessment of the potential suitability of three locations in Alberta as potential host locations for SMR deployment and increase public and Indigenous community understanding and awareness of SMRs and nuclear power generation.
Project Name: Peace Region, Alberta Nuclear Power Plant Project
Recipient: EAC Capital Limited Partnership
Reach: Alberta
Location: Peace River area of northern Alberta
Funding from EPP: $8,366,800
Project Summary: The objective of this project is to advance predevelopment for EAC Capital’s proposed new nuclear plant with a capacity of up to 4,800 MW in the Peace Region.
Project Name: Tent Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project
Recipient: Tent Mountain Pumped Hydro Limited Partnership
Reach: Alberta
Location: West of Coleman, Alberta
Funding from EPP: $1,320,476
Project Summary: The objective of this project is to advance predevelopment work for a closed-loop pumped storage system in Alberta, utilizing the legacy footprint of a former mine’s open pit as the upper reservoir supporting a larger energy storage project, with a targeted minimum installed capacity of 320 MW.
Source: National Resources Canada
