SASKATOON — Crown Investments Corp. Minister Jeremy Harrison says nuclear power is a realistic and pragmatic path for meeting Saskatchewan’s growing energy needs and strengthening the province’s long-term energy security.
Harrison, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, May 27, during the Saskatchewan First Nations Energy & Natural Resource Forum at Prairieland Park, said the province remains in the early stages of building a nuclear energy industry.
“We’re really on the ground floor of nuclear power deployment. We’re working in partnership on both small modular reactors and, potentially, large-scale nuclear facilities. This is a part of the energy security strategy,” said Harrison.
He added that the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence was an integral part of developing the province’s energy security strategy, which was also undertaken under a memorandum of understanding that served as the roadmap for their co-operation.
“Our objective is to get to nuclear baseline power deployment. That really is what we are seeking to do, which is clearly laid out in the energy security strategy. We're taking a realistic and pragmatic path to get there,” said Harrison.
“That includes things like workforce development, supply chain development, road mapping, and long-term planning for Saskatchewan’s evolving energy sector. [And], I think that we’ve made some really good progress and had some very, very good discussions.”
He said the partnership between the provincial government, Crown Investments Corp. and First Nations organizations is already producing tangible economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses entering Saskatchewan’s growing nuclear and resource supply chain.
“There is a very large and growing number of First Nation companies that are directly engaged in supply-chain development. They are already taking very important places in the new nuclear supply chain, but also in the broader supply chain in the energy and resource sector as well.”
Another focus of the discussion was the controversial decision to extend the use of coal-fired power plants to maintain a reliable energy source while the province develops its nuclear generation capacity and transitions to a lower-emission grid.
Harrison defended the policy, arguing that the province cannot risk undermining grid reliability during the transition away from coal and that extending coal generation will provide Saskatchewan with energy security while the province builds its nuclear infrastructure.
“My view is very much that we have the best path forward. As far as the coal plant extensions, that is the appropriate path. It is the path that provides energy security for the province of Saskatchewan,” said Harrison.
SFNNRCE president and CEO Sheldon Wuttunee acknowledged that some First Nations communities were concerned about the environmental impacts of extending coal plant operations. Still, he said the nations are also focused on ensuring economic participation and long-term ownership opportunities in major energy projects.
“Each nation will have distinct concerns, but they’ll also have their own distinct planning approach for opportunity. A lot of the conversation lies in how we lessen the impacts. Still, also what type of economic opportunities are there in terms of workforce or supply-chain opportunities as well,” Wuttunee said.
Wuttunee said the Centre of Excellence plays a key role in helping nations navigate complex consultation, environmental assessment and technical planning processes associated with large-scale projects, including nuclear development.
“Our role is to bring those technical experts to support decision-making for nations. We’re there to ensure that we’re putting our best foot forward and giving our nations the information to make local decisions,” he added.
