Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
From left: SaskPower CEO Rupen Pandya, Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, Estevan-Big Muddy MLA Lori Carr and SaskPower Chair Rob Nicolay, just before the announcement. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
SASKATOON – When Premier Scott Moe took to the stage at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show on Sept. 17, he did something rather surprising – he told the oil crowd that his government was looking at building large nuclear reactors nearby. Supplying the local and expanding oil industry with reliable baseload power would be a major consideration for the province.
Among those caught off-guard was Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers. He was in attendance at the Sept. 29 announcement at the University of Saskatchewan College of Engineering in Saskatoon. There, Moe announced the province was intending on building two large, 1000 megawatt-scale reactors in northwest Saskatchewan, near Lloydminster. The announcement referenced work Bruce Power had done investigating sites along the North Saskatchewan River in 2008.
In particular, the location for these reactors would likely be along the river, somewhere between the Alberta border and North Battleford, probably closer to the border than North Battleford.
Lloydminster is home to one of Saskatchewan’s most significant megaprojects over the last 34 years, what was originally known and the Bi-Provincial Upgrader. In many ways, a nuclear reactor is very similar to an upgrader, with lots of structural steel, piping made to very high specification and pressurizations, concrete and more.
Here’s Pipeline Online’s discussion with Mayor Aalbers on Sept. 29, right after the announcement:
Pipeline Online
So two weeks ago, at the oil show, the premier says, “Oh yeah, we might be building large reactors here,” and I got the impression that not many people there really had any clue that was going to be coming.
Gerald Aalbers
He caught us all off guard, including myself.
Pipeline Online
So since then, I’m sure it’s been the talk of the town.
Gerald Aalbers
It has been certainly.
It was alluded to in (2008). There was a lot of discussion in the community of Lloydminster and surrounding area, and I think that a lot of things have changed, as the premier talked about in his presentation earlier today, that people are more open to the idea, and certainly the technology continues to improve each and every day. So, I think that from what I’ve heard from people, certainly businesses are interested, curious, what what’s happening, when could things happen. And today, I come with a little more information to take back to my community.
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Pipeline Online
So, what did you gain from today?
Gerald Aalbers
Well, I gained that this is a long step. This is there’s many steps. The term used – decision points. There’s going to be multiple decision points that have to be made from that perspective. There’s a lot of work. I knew that there was a five-year licensing process, and all the pieces to it. So I suspect that it’ll be 2040, 2042. I think was the number I heard. That’s a long ways out, but it’s not in one way. That’s just what 12, 14 years, and that’s where we’d be looking at things.
Pipeline Online
Well, I’ve put a lot of thought into this whole supply chain. You know, what communities can handle this. And the reality is, in Saskatchewan, Lloydminster is probably, the most capable. How many how many people do you get for a turnaround at the at the upgrader?
Gerald Aalbers
About up 2,500 to 3,000 people come in to do a turnaround at the Lloydminster upgrader.
Pipeline Online
And the upgrader, I mean, the scale of it is probably bigger than a reactor.
Gerald Aalbers
I would think it would be bigger than the reactor in multiple the multiple pieces and phases. So certainly, from that perspective, I know that there’s going to be a steady workforce, and then there will be, like you say, that when people come in to do turnarounds and things like that and shut down.
So very excited. I know that every business in the community always looks for the opportunities to present themselves, be it hotels in particular, restaurants, and then all the supply, all the pieces that make our economy that much stronger in our community as a regional hub. Today, it would only be strengthened by such an opportunity to have a nuclear reactor in the area.
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Pipeline Online
Has there been any pushback? Has anyone said, “Hell no, we won’t go?”
Gerald Aalbers
Not yet. I certainly sure there will be some people that have some concerns, but I think that it’s great to see today such a wide, diverse group of people, First Nations leaders from across our area, as well as the Métis Nations, having municipal leaders here. I think, as I’ve said before, I think it’s important to make sure that we get good information, accurate information, and information out to the public as soon as we can, as best as they can. And I totally get what the premier is saying about his decision points. We don’t want to get the cart too far in front of the horse, but at the same token, as the horse moves forward, we’ve got to make sure the cart’s falling right behind.
Pipeline Online
Anything you like to add?
Gerald Aalbers
No, I just appreciate the opportunity to be here today and hear it firsthand and meet some of the individuals that make this happen, and reconnect with others such as Tim Gitzel. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him a number of times, and you know appreciate the work that they do in for Saskatchewan Cameco’s effort and around the world.
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