Ottawa invests in micro nuclear reactors for Northern defence study

The Canadian federal government is taking significant steps towards exploring the potential of nuclear energy to power remote military outposts in the Arctic. This initiative, announced by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s approach to energy and defense strategy.

Exploring the potential of microreactors in Arctic military outposts

During a recent nuclear industry conference in Ottawa, Minister Hodgson revealed that the Department of National Defence (DND) will allocate $40 million in 2023 for a comprehensive study on the viability of microreactors.

This funding is aimed at assessing how these compact nuclear reactors can supply electricity and heating to military facilities situated in the remote and harsh northern regions of Canada.

Microreactors are designed to be portable, allowing for transportation by truck, and typically generate less than 20 megawatts of heat. This energy can be used directly for heating or transformed into electricity for various operational needs.

While Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL), a small Crown corporation focused on developing nuclear science and technology, is involved in the study, the DND is leading the initiative and has refrained from commenting further at this stage.

The strategic need for nuclear energy in the Arctic

The need for improved infrastructure in Canada’s North has been acknowledged in the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy, released earlier this year. This strategy includes a vision to invest $2.67 billion to create a robust network of hubs and nodes to support military operations in the Arctic.

Historically, nuclear reactors have been scarce in Arctic regions, with only one operational plant currently in high-latitude areas: Russia's Akademik Lomonosov, a floating power plant equipped with marine reactors.

In contrast, Canadian companies are beginning to explore the development of microreactors tailored for deployment in these frigid, remote locations. This is especially relevant as military operations expand in the Arctic, posing a challenge for traditional energy supply methods.

Canadian companies leading the charge in microreactor development

Among the pioneers in this field is Boreal Energy Systems Ltd., an Ottawa-based startup that is working on the Micro Modular Reactor, a one-megawatt microreactor specifically aimed at supplying energy for DND missions in the Arctic. These missions include supporting military bases and installations associated with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Albert Heller, the company's CEO, emphasizes the urgency of this development, stating that DND will require a more reliable power source due to the limitations of conventional fuels like diesel, as well as the impracticality of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar in extreme cold.

Heller projects that their reactor prototype should be ready for licensing by the 2030s, aligning with DND's operational requirements as part of the NORAD modernization plan.

Innovative designs for deploying nuclear technology

Another notable player in the microreactor landscape is Prodigy Clean Energy Ltd., which is creating a unique barge-like vessel known as the Transportable Nuclear Power Plant. This design aims to facilitate the deployment of small reactors in Arctic conditions, targeting markets that include Canadian Forces installations and Coast Guard operations.

To support these efforts, the federal government has invested $2.75 million into Prodigy's development initiatives, underscoring the commitment to advancing nuclear capabilities in challenging environments.

The government's broader nuclear energy strategy

Minister Hodgson also announced plans for a comprehensive nuclear energy strategy, set to be unveiled in the coming weeks. This strategy will focus on:

• Facilitating the construction of both small and large reactors within Canada.
• Promoting the export of Canadian nuclear technology.
• Encouraging domestic utilization of Canadian uranium.

Hodgson highlighted the government's accelerated efforts to accomplish significant advancements in nuclear energy, stating that they are operating at "speeds not seen in generations."

Challenges in the nuclear energy landscape

Despite these ambitious plans, past federal initiatives aimed at promoting nuclear deployment have often fallen short of expectations. A roadmap introduced in 2018 under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sought to advance the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and involved significant federal spending.

However, many of the projects envisioned in this roadmap have yet to reach fruition. One such initiative involved deploying microreactors in Northern Canada, with Ontario Power Generation forming a joint venture with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. to develop a five-megawatt gas-cooled reactor. Unfortunately, this project was abandoned when OPG withdrew from the partnership in 2024, shortly before Ultra Safe went bankrupt.

As a result, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, which oversees the Chalk River facility where this reactor was to be developed, has announced no immediate plans to pursue new reactors.

The future of nuclear energy in Canada

The exploration of nuclear energy for Arctic military applications represents a critical intersection of national defense and energy technology. As climate change and geopolitical tensions heighten the importance of Arctic operations, innovative solutions like microreactors could become essential.

With the Canadian government positioning itself to advance nuclear technology, the potential for microreactors to provide robust, reliable energy in remote locations is promising. As companies like Boreal Energy Systems and Prodigy Clean Energy continue to innovate, the future of energy supply in Canada's Arctic regions may very well be nuclear.

The path forward will undoubtedly involve overcoming challenges, ensuring safety, and securing public confidence in nuclear technologies. The commitment to study and develop these systems is a significant step toward harnessing nuclear energy’s potential in a rapidly changing world.