Two Estavan Locations Up for Canadian Nuclear Project

With site selection activities now limited to two possible sites close to Estevan, SaskPower is moving significantly toward building its first small modular reactor (SMR).

The two sites that made the shortlist are one on the Rafferty Reservoir in the RM of Cambria and one on the Boundary Dam Reservoir inside the RM of Estevan. By early 2025 the final site will be decided by a thorough assessment including technical, environmental, social, cultural, and financial elements.

Why Estavan?

Because of its current power infrastructure, water supply, accessibility to emergency services, and trained staff, the Estevan region has become a leader for nuclear development. The Elbow area is still a secondary issue, and land choices there will be investigated alongside continuous local community and Indigenous group involvement.

The choice of a location is a pivotal point since it will allow regulatory procedures to start and open the path for a final investment choice by 2029. The evaluation process will depend much on community involvement; SaskPower aggressively seeks comments from local businesses, citizens, and Indigenous leaders.

The Site Selection Methodology

The procedure started in 2022 with a general assessment of every part of the province. Initial factors included staff availability, emergency response capability, and proximity to current power plants. The choice was then honed by means of the following important studies:

Avoiding critical habitats, historic places, and unstable land, suitability analysis examined over 50 elements including proximity to water, transmission lines, highways, and larger populations.

A key need for SMR technology is water access, so the study of water intake found ideal coastline sites.

Through committee sessions, engaged Indigenous people, organizations, and other stakeholders to hone site appropriateness criteria.

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The results of these investigations have been combined into suitability maps, with darker green sections signifying quite fit terrain. SaskPower allows public access to all materials, including the REP Report and other evaluation records.