CANADA: NUCLEAR REACTOR TECHNOLOGY (CANDU & SMRs)

Explore Canada’s leadership in nuclear reactor technology, focusing on the innovation and global impact of CANDU reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).”

  

 CANADA: NUCLEAR REACTOR TECHNOLOGY (CANDU & SMRs)

Well-known for its Candu (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactor design, Canada has earned a significant international reputation in this field.

Canada houses 19 operational nuclear power reactors with an impressive history of over 60 years in nuclear technology development. This experience has gifted Canada with competence in every aspect of the nuclear fuel cycle.

The Candu reactor, developed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), employs natural uranium fuel and heavy water, creating a distinct technological identity amidst other designs.

While the United States and France lead in nuclear power generation, contributing to about 30% and 70% of the world's nuclear electricity respectively, Canada stands out for its technological proficiency rather than mass production. However, Ontario aims to become an energy "superpower" by ramping up its nuclear capacity and exporting SMR technologies with
the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station set to host the first of four SMRs.

 Ontario Power Generation has embarked on an ambitious overhaul of its nuclear facilities, investing CDN $26 billion to upgrade four reactors at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station and CDN $13 billion to refurbish six reactors at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.

Canada ranks as the world’s second-largest uranium producer, trailing only Kazakhstan, with the bulk of its output sourced from exceptionally rich deposits in Saskatchewan.

These deposits are remarkably potent, containing uranium concentrations 10 to 100 times higher than those found at most global mining sites.

 Through its national SMR Action Plan and partnerships spanning multiple provinces, Canada is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the development and rollout of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

A pivotal milestone in this journey is the planned launch of the first grid-scale SMR at the Darlington site is set for 2028 or 2029. Once operational, it’s expected to deliver clean, dependable power to approximately 300,000 households.

 The IEA has forecasted that global nuclear power generation will reach an all-time high in 2025, driven by factors such as the restart of reactors in Japan, completion of maintenance in France, and new reactor operations in countries like China, India, South Korea, and parts of Europe.

Additionally, the IEA notes a significant global resurgence in nuclear interest, with more than 40 countries actively pursuing plans to expand nuclear energy’s role in their energy systems. This is supported by policy shifts, new construction projects (over 70 gigawatts of capacity underway), and growing momentum for innovations like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

 Committed to international collaboration and clean energy production, Canada is actively engaging in partnerships such as advanced reactor technologies with the USA.

Additionally, Canada is collaborating with several countries beyond the United States on nuclear energy initiatives;

 -Poland: Canada recently signed the Canada-Poland Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement in January 2025. This deal focuses on sharing Canada’s nuclear expertise to support Poland’s transition from coal to clean, reliable nuclear energy, including potential development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

-France: Canada has a history of nuclear collaboration with France, including through the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), where both nations work on next-generation nuclear technologies. France, a leader in nuclear energy, also has ties with Canada via CANDU reactor fuel cycles and joint research efforts.

 -United Kingdom: The UK and Canada cooperate on nuclear energy, notably through the GIF and shared interests in SMR development. The UK’s push for nuclear expansion aligns with Canada’s expertise in uranium and reactor design, fostering technical exchanges.

 -South Korea: South Korea operates CANDU reactors (exported from Canada) and has collaborated with Canada on nuclear technology and fuel supply. This partnership extends to potential advancements in reactor maintenance and new designs.

-Japan: Canada and Japan work together on nuclear R&D, including through the GIF and historical uranium supply agreements. Japan’s interest in restarting and expanding its nuclear fleet post-Fukushima has renewed opportunities for collaboration.

Also:

-Romania: Canada has a long-standing relationship with Romania, where CANDU reactors are in operation. Recent efforts include support for refurbishment and potential SMR deployment, strengthening nuclear ties.

-India: Canada supplies uranium to India under a nuclear cooperation agreement signed in 2015, following the lifting of earlier restrictions. This supports India’s nuclear power expansion while adhering to non-proliferation standards.

-China: Historically, Canada has collaborated with China on CANDU reactor projects, and there have been agreements (e.g., 2012 and 2016) to develop Advanced Fuel CANDU Reactors (AFCRs). While geopolitical tensions may affect current dynamics, past cooperation has been significant.

 Canada’s role in multilateral frameworks like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) facilitates broader cooperation with many nations.

Its leadership in the SMR Action Plan also involves provincial partnerships (e.g., Ontario, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan) that attract international interest from countries exploring SMR technology.

 At COP28 in 2023, Canada joined 22 countries—including France, the UK, and South Korea pledging to triple nuclear capacity by 2050, signaling a collaborative global push.

 These partnerships reflect Canada’s strengths in uranium production, reactor technology (notably CANDU and SMRs), and its commitment to advancing nuclear energy as a low-carbon solution, often in coordination with like-minded nations beyond just the USA.

Coupled with innovation, sustainability, and clean energy production, these strategies attest to Canada's unwavering commitment to retain and expand its role in the global nuclear energy sector.