Feds. invest in SMNRs to help meet net-zero 2050 target

[Oscar]

Federal government invests in small nuclear reactors to help it meet net-zero 2050 target

[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bains- ... -1.5763762 ]

$20M investment will help preserve 186 jobs and create 52 co-op placements, says Ottawa

Peter Zimonjic · CBC News · Posted: Oct 15, 2020 3:23 PM ET | Last Updated: October 15

An architectural rendering of Terrestrial Energy's Integral Molten Salt Reactor power plant that it expects to have in production by the end of the decade. (Terrestrial Energy)

The federal government says it's investing $20 million in the nuclear industry to help Canada meet its target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The investment in Oakville Ontario's Terrestrial Energy is meant to help the firm bring small modular nuclear reactors to market.

"By helping to bring these small reactors to market, we are supporting significant environmental and economic benefits, including generating energy with reduced emissions, highly skilled job creation and Canadian intellectual property development," said Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains in a media statement.

Small modular reactors — SMRs — are smaller than a conventional nuclear power plant and can be built in one location before being transported and assembled elsewhere.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited says it sees three major uses for SMRs in Canada:

Helping utilities replace energy capacity lost to closures of coal fired power plants.
Providing power and heat to off-grid industrial projects such as mines and oilsands developments.
Replacing diesel fuel as a source of energy and heat in remote communities.


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