Small modular reactors could be in Estevan's future as SaskPower continues to consider alternative forms of power generation for the future.
According to the public utilities company, there are two regions of the province that are currently being considered to house possible SMRs. One is the Estevan area near Boundary and Rafferty Dam. The other is in Elbow, Sask. near Lake Diefenbaker. The reactors must have water for its cooling system.
SaskPower is holding public consultations over the next couple weeks to gather feedback on the idea, with many of those happening in the southeast, including one in Estevan this Wednesday.
"We're still relatively early in the SMR process," said SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry. "The decision whether or not to build one of these facilities is still a number of years out, but getting out now and engaging with people and getting their perspectives and answering their questions is an important part of the process."
Cherry said SaskPower won't make a decision on whether or not to move forward on SMRs until 2029, and the reactor would not be active until the mid 2030's if they do proceed.
There are currently no nuclear reactors in Canada west of Ontario. Cherry said Alberta and Saskatchewan have considered SMRs in the past, while Manitoba and British Columbia have an abundance of hydro electric power.
Cherry added that Saskatchewan is currently working with Ontario, which has already decided to move forward with an SMR, and New Brunswick on possibly implementing one in the future. Alberta is also examining the idea again.
"So it's really kind of a cross-Canada approach that's being taken here," he said.
There is an information session planned for Estevan this Wednesday Nov. 16 from 12-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. at the Estevan Elks Club.
Here's the full list of sessions for the southeast:
Alameda
Date: November 15
Time: 12-3 pm
Location: Legion
Oxbow
Date: November 15
Time: 5-8 pm
Location: Legion
Estevan
Date: November 16
Times: 12-3 pm and 5-8 pm
Location: Elks Club
Lampman
Date: November 17
Time: 12-3 pm
Location: Legion
Carlyle
Date: November 17
Time: 6-8 pm
Date: November 18
Time: 10 am-12 pm
Location for both: Memorial Hall