Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and its subsidiary, Laurentis Energy Partners (LEP), are set to collaborate with SaskPower in advancing Saskatchewan’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development project.
The collaborative effort was officially announced in Regina, where representatives from OPG, LEP, and SaskPower, along with Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith and Saskatchewan Minister Responsible for SaskPower Dustin Duncan, gathered to disclose details of a Master Services Agreement signed earlier this year.
Dustin Duncan, the Minister Responsible for SaskPower, said the collaboration will positively affect many sectors and industries in the province.
“Saskatchewan’s ongoing collaboration with Ontario touches on many sectors and industries, and this strategic partnership between SaskPower, OPG, and Laurentis is but another example of how strong of a relationship our two provinces share,” said Duncan. “Together, our two provinces will continue to build shared prosperity, opportunity, and leadership.”
Ontario’s Minister of Energy Todd Smith said his province is ready to support others, like Saskatchewan.
“Ontario is ready to support partners across Canada – like Saskatchewan – and around the world, leveraging the expertise of our world-class nuclear operators and supply chain to support their deployment of small modular reactors as a clean and reliable source of electricity.”
The LEP-SaskPower agreement, with a duration of up to five years, is seen as a significant step in fostering a stronger partnership between Ontario and Saskatchewan, aiming to propel the deployment of SMR technology across Canada.
President and CEO of SaskPower Rupen Pandya said collaboration is the best path forward for SaskPower’s transition to clean energy.
“Ontario Power Generation and Laurentis Energy Partners bring decades of combined experience in the Canadian nuclear industry, and this expertise is something that will be extremely valuable as part of our SMR development project. I look forward to working with OPG and LEP on our shared vision of a sustainable and reliable power future.”
This collaboration is expected to be the bedrock for a long-term strategic alliance, streamlining the development of Small Modular Reactors in Saskatchewan. Under the agreement, LEP will primarily focus on program management, licensing, and operational readiness activities.
“Based on Ontario’s leadership in the Darlington New Nuclear Project and the experience gained to date through our various international SMR collaborations, Laurentis is well positioned to provide expertise and immediate project support for SMR development in Saskatchewan,” said Laurentis Energy Partners President and CEO, Jason Van Wart. “We look forward to a long-term strategic partnership to further strengthen the provinces’ relationship in the pursuit of a diverse and clean energy mix.”
This move follows the renewal of an earlier agreement between SaskPower and OPG this year. It outlines their commitment to continued collaboration in new nuclear development, explicitly involving Small Modular Reactors, in both Saskatchewan and Ontario.
SaskPower and OPG have committed to providing mutual support by sharing lessons learned, technical resources, expertise, best practices, and operating experience. The agreement also allows exploring potential collaborations in other areas, including project development and plant operations.
