{"id":29938,"date":"2020-12-18T13:11:32","date_gmt":"2020-12-18T18:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cna.ca\/?p=29938"},"modified":"2021-01-07T09:50:42","modified_gmt":"2021-01-07T14:50:42","slug":"cna-welcomes-small-modular-reactor-action-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cna.ca\/fr\/2020\/12\/18\/cna-welcomes-small-modular-reactor-action-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"CNA Welcomes Small Modular Reactor Action Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

OTTAWA (December 18, 2020) \u2013 The Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) welcomed the announcement today of the Small Modular Reactor Action Plan (SMR Action Plan), unveiled by the federal government.  The Action Plan builds on the SMR Roadmap of 2018 and is an integral part of the government\u2019s pursuit of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday\u2019s release of the government\u2019s Small Modular Reactor Action Plan is an important step in furthering Canada\u2019s leadership role in clean electricity generation and is a catalyst for the transition to low-or non-emitting industrial production among some of Canada\u2019s highest-emitting sectors,\u201d said John Gorman, President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association. \u201cAchieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will require decisions and investments now to lay foundations for the clean energy of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canada\u2019s electricity system is already 82% derived from emissions-free sources, making it one of the world\u2019s largest and cleanest electricity systems.  Eight of ten Canadians already have access to over 95% emissions-free electricity, in six provinces.  Canada\u2019s emission-free generation is presently derived from a combination of hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, biofuel, solar, geothermal and tidal, plus natural gas coupled with carbon capture and storage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNet-zero will take everyone playing their part \u2013 hydro, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, geothermal and tidal. Today\u2019s Action Plan signals a commitment to harness Canada\u2019s global advantages and move past public commitments to actually get results\u2014to meet our targets,\u201d added Gorman. \u201cNot only will we be able to complete the transition to a fully clean electricity grid in Canada, but we can help move steel, cement, oil and gas, mining and agriculture to non-emitting sources. With first-mover advantage in SMR commercialization, Canada can secure a pre-eminent role as the world leader in the export of Clean Technology on a scale to help meet global Paris targets. That\u2019s<\/em> a legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Small Modular Reactors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every year in Canada, nuclear technology helps avoid 80 million tonnes of CO2<\/sub> emissions by displacing fossil fuels and supplies 70 per cent of the global supply of cobalt-60, radioisotopes that are used to treat cancer and sterilize medical equipment, among other things. It contributes more than $17 billion to Canada\u2019s economy each year and creates more than 76,000 direct and indirect, well-paying jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are nuclear fission reactors that are being designed to be built at a smaller size but in larger numbers than most of the world\u2019s current nuclear fleet. Some small nuclear reactors have existed since the beginning of reactor technology fifty years ago. Examples include research reactors at universities (of which there are several in Canada), demonstration reactors (built prior to scaling up a design for commercial electricity supply), and marine propulsion reactors (used in vessels of several navies for decades). SMRs are being designed to be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n