Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
This is the lead story of extensive coverage into the Sept. 29 announcement of Saskatchewan’s nuclear power intentions going forward. This would have been the largest capital investment in Saskatchewan history, except for that Regina data centre. But it’s still right up there. Find links at the bottom of this story for other stories in this package, with more yet to come in following days.
Premier Scott Moe addressed over 80 people in announcing Saskatchewan’s nuclear power generation plans on Sept. 29. The event took place in a chemical engineering lab, College of Engineering, on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
SASKATOON – Saskatchewan’s plans for nuclear power generation became a lot more focused on Sept. 29, clarifying how many megawatts are sought, how many reactors, and in one case, specifically where the first two are expected to be built.
Premier Scott Moe made the announcement in a chemical engineering lab at the University of Saskatchewan College of Engineering. The setting was deliberate, according to Crown Investments Corp. Minister Jeremy Harrison, with the intention of highlighting the need to develop a workforce for this new nuclear power industry. And the lab was packed with over 80 people, a who’s who in the industry as the government sought to highlight widespread support. There were representatives from Cameco, AtkinsRéalis, First Nations, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and more. The head of the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan was seated beside the CEO of SaskPower, for instance. Mayors of Estevan and Lloydminster were there, too, with the Lloydminster mayor still a little surprised at the recent announcement in his community they would soon be part of this nuclear development. (Just two weeks earlier, the premier told the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show about how a nuclear power plant could soon be built near their community.)
Here’s the key points: The updated plan is called “Delivering Energy Security Through Nuclear Power; Update to the Saskatchewan Frist Energy Security and Supply Plan,” which you can download here:
26-6080 Delivering Energy Security Through Nuclear Power Update
It outlines that Saskatchewan will be seeing to develop 2,600 megawatts of nuclear power generation. That will involve four reactors – two small modular reactors (SMRs) near Estevan, and two large reactors of the 1,000 megawatt-scale in northwest Saskatchewan. That’s a total of four reactors planned for a province that has never built one before. And 2,600 megawatts is roughly how much power the entire province uses on a low-demand day in the spring or fall, with winter peaks often around 3,600. The most to date has been 3,910 megawatts in late 2021.
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However, while that may seem like nuclear could replace most of our power generation, the reality is there is a broad expectation that the demand for power generation is expected to double in the next few decades, which is why Moe referenced an “all of the above” approach in his speech. (You can read his entire speech here.)
(Editor’s note: CTV, LeaderPost, CJME, Global, Canadian Press and Globe & Mail via CP all erroneously reported one SMR is under consideration for Saskatchewan. The real number is two SMRs. The math isn’t hard. The documentation said 600 MW from SMRs, and they’re 300 MW each. Were we even at the same press conference?)
This is the Rafferty site, one of two sites under consideration for Saskatchewan’s first nuclear reactors. The most likely location would be just over the valley edge, on the right side of the photo. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
SMR site finalized
The other key point is the site selection for the Estevan area SMRs (plural) has been finalized. It will be going to the “Rafferty site,” which is due south of Macoun, on the north shore of the Rafferty Reservoir. This brings an end to several years of site selection process and ends consideration of Boundary Dam reservoir for nuclear power.
Perhaps most significantly, the Rafferty Reservoir is many times larger than Boundary Dam Reservoir, with a much more substantial source of water supply. For several years now, Pipeline Online has been taking VIPs on its day-long “Energy Literacy Tour.” A key point on that tour was showing how you could literally step across the inches-deep Long Creek (source of the Boundary Reservoir) 70 kilometres upstream of the dam, whereas Rafferty reservoir in comparison was around 350 metres wide at a similar distance upstream of its respective dam.
This is Long Creek, approximately 70 kilometres upstream of the Boundary Dam on Nov. 21, 2025. It’s the low-level crossing south of Torquay. You can step across it much of the year. The equivalent is distance from Rafferty Dam is the “Kramer’s Crossing, on Highway 705, in the eastern portion of the Weyburn Unit. There the water is 350 metres wide and there are deep water warnings along the side of the road. Photo by Brian Zinchuk.
Here’s the site maps:
These maps, released by SaskPower show the two sites that had been under consideration. The first is along the south side of the road that goes into Woodlawn Regional Park, on Boundary Dam Reservoir. The second is due south of Macoun, on the north shore of Rafferty Reservoir. SaskPower
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The Rafferty site also has very few neighbours compared to Boundary Dam, dramatically reducing possible not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) issues. Its proximity to the CPKC mainline, Highway 39 and existing power transmission infrastructure also stood in the site’s favour. SaskPower purchased the land for the site in the summer of 2025.
According to SaskPower:
- The Rafferty site was chosen because it has stable ground, enough water, and the space needed to safely support SMRs. The decision was informed by early studies, and feedback gathered through engagement with nearby Indigenous Nations, municipal leaders and community members.
- The next step is to complete two years of detailed environmental, safety, cultural and technical studies to confirm the site can safely support a nuclear power plant and meet Canada’s strict nuclear licensing requirements.
- SaskPower will continue to listen to the perspectives of nearby Indigenous Nations, municipalities and community members to better understand local priorities and how Nations want to be involved as the project moves forward.
Indeed, during one of those tours, representatives of local First Nations were doing site surveys at the Rafferty site.
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One thing that was not refined was the previously announced timeline for a decision to go ahead on building the SMRs. Previously SaskPower had been aiming at a 2029 decision point to start construction in 2030 and first power in 2034. But the new document does not lay out that timeline. It does say this:
For southeast Saskatchewan, the work will include continuing project advancement at the Rafferty Reservoir site:
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Site evaluation to complete more detailedgeo-technical, environmental, and social analysis.
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Steps to protect Indigenous heritage andcultural artifacts.
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Engagement with Indigenous and local communities on economic benefits.
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Engagement with Ontario Power Generation and following the Darlington New Nuclear Project as well as global developments inBWRX-300 deployments.
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Monitoring local and province-wide public sentiment.
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Partnering with engineering and construction firms for project delivery.
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Applying for nuclear regulatory licences, such as a Licence to Prepare a Site.
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Large reactors
As for the new developments for large scale reactors – those have the potential to eclipse the SMRs in scale, scope and price. If SMRs are to be Saskatchewan’s appetizers into nuclear power generation, large reactors are the main course.
First of all, each large reactor will be over three times the power output compared to an SMR. The two leading contenders are the AtkinsRealis CANDU MONARK, with a 950 megawatt rating per unit, and the Westinghouse AP1000, with an 1,100 megawatt rating per unit. Moe also referenced a third possibility, the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) which he visited under construction in the UK a few weeks ago, but for all intents and purposes it’s a less likely candidate compared to the two North American models under consideration.
AtkinsRealis senior vice president Carl Marcotte told Pipeline Online they are also pitching the CANDU EC6 design, capable of 750 megawatts. It’s a derivation of the CANDU 6 model used at the Point Lepreau in New Brunswick. However, to produce the more than 2,000 megawatts Saskatchewan is seeking from large reactors, three EC6 units would be required instead of two.
CANDU Monark reactor rendering. AktinsRealis image
Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at Vogtle. Cameco
With larger reactors, the footprint, timeline, cost and volume of water necessary for cooling are all much greater compared to SMRs. Here’s what the Bruce Power Station, with a total of eight reactors, looks like for scale.
Bruce Power’s site on Lake Huron. Bruce Power
Here’s what the document released by the government says:
SaskPower has already started work on the technology selection for large nuclear and is beginning to plan for the potential development of two large nuclear reactors in northwest Saskatchewan. This planning is not a final investment decision. Future decisions will depend on siting, regulatory, commercial and engagement work with local communities and proximate Indigenous peoples.
As part of this process, Saskatchewan will undertake the work required to identify and assess a site that can support large scale nuclear baseload generation with potential for first power by 2042 and an initial goal of over 2000MW of power.
Northwest Saskatchewan provides a strong basis for further large-reactor planning. Previous Bruce Power work examined locations on the North Saskatchewan River and identified potential areas for more detailed study.
SaskPower has acquired data from that work, including initial study of ground conditions and hydrology at eight potential areas. The Bruce Power data gives Saskatchewan an important starting point for further assessment of large reactor siting options in the northwest.
The sidebars note:
2000+ MW – an initial goal of over 2000 MW of power from large nuclear
2042 – potential for large scale power by 2042
NW SK – potential reactor site in northwest Saskatchewan.
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That reference to Bruce Power is key. Bruce Power is an independent power producer in Ontario which has leased the eight-unit Bruce Power Generating Station from Ontario Power Generation (OPG, its original builder and operator) for the long term. It is currently in the process of adding up to another 4800 megawatts of power at its potential third phase of that facility, known as Bruce C. SaskPower has been working closely with Bruce, as well as OPG, on developing our nuclear strategy. And its experience relates heavily to where we are going. OPG, for its part, is developing up to 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power at its Wesleyville site on the north shore of Lake Ontario, in addition to the 1,200 megawatts of SMRs at Darlington.
Dating back to 2008, Bruce Power had been actively looking at developing a nuclear power site on the North Saskatchewan River in the Lloydminster region, so preliminary work has been done and is being dusted off in the SaskPower context.
Later in the document, it states, “SaskPower has partnered with Ontario Power Generation to learn from the Darlington New Nuclear Project, has a memorandum of understanding with New Brunswick Power, and has engaged with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Orlens-Synthos, and the broader North American nuclear community through the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.
“SaskPower has also cooperated with Bruce Power on large reactor technology assessment and historical large-reactor siting data and is open to exploring a strategic partnership to accelerate and enhance delivery on large reactor development.”
And:
“Nuclear development is a multi-decade undertaking and Saskatchewan is planning accordingly.
“For reference, Bruce Power’s Bruce C project illustrates the complexity of large-reactor development. Bruce Power submitted its initial project description in 2024, is working toward a licence to prepare site in 2028, anticipates a long construction period for 4,800 MW of generation and expects first power in the early-to-mid 2040s.
“Saskatchewan will advocate for the federal government to accelerate nuclear projects as major projects, create conditions for financing and investment, and ensure the pace of nuclear regulatory processes.”
Those timelines for an established nuclear generator in expanding existing facilities means Saskatchewan’s timelines for developing new capacity are aggressive, to say the least. More on this later.
The need for reliable, dependable baseload power has been continually reinforced, as opposed to the push to wind and solar generation that the previous Justin Trudeau-led federal administration had emphasized. As this story is about to be published the morning of Oct. 1, Alberta’s total wind output registered 159 megawatts out of a nameplate capacity of 5,684 megawatts, or roughly three per cent of capacity. And on the day Moe told Lloydminster it could soon have a nuclear project built nearby, Alberta’s wind generation fell to 38 megawatts, or 0.6 per cent capacity. Alberta has already built far more wind capacity than the Saskatchewan NDP have been calling for or the federal government wanted Saskatchewan to build. That capacity continues to bottom out on a frequent basis, despite having doubled since 2021.
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Premier Scott Moe announcing Saskatchewan’s nuclear power generation intentions. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
Premier’s explanation
Moe said, “I’m pleased to release an update to the Energy Security Strategy, one that focuses specifically on nuclear energy. We are charting a path forward for one of the largest energy and economic development opportunities in our province’s history.”
Citing a growing economy in his speech, Moe said, “From oil and gas to agriculture, value added to mining, from manufacturing to technology, from critical minerals, or even to the investment we see in data centers. But success to all of this investment, and what is necessary for all of this investment, is access to abundant, reliable, and affordable electricity. And if we want Saskatchewan to remain one of the best places in the world to invest, to build and create jobs. We need an electricity system that can keep pace with the growth that we are having today, and keep pace with the growth that we are planning for in the future.
“And that is why our government is committed to continuing to pursue an all of the above approach when it comes to our energy and electricity security. Our future electricity mix in this province will include yes, natural gas. It will include hydro, wind, solar, as well as some thermal. But we must also invest in a future source of power that is reliable in every season, available around the clock, is affordable for decades to come, affordable for us to continue to attract that investment, but also most importantly, affordable for the families that live here, and that source is none other than nuclear power.
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“Today, we are announcing plans to build about 2,600 megawatts of nuclear generation by the year 2050. This will include more than 2,000 megawatts of power that will come from large-scale nuclear reactors, the first of which is being planned, and it will be expected to come online about 2042. To put that into perspective, 600 megawatts can power the equivalent of Saskatchewan’s two largest cities, Regina and Saskatchewan. 2,600 megawatts could power the equivalent of 2.6 million homes, but this announcement is about much more than electricity.
“It’s about economic growth and opportunity for future generations. It’s about jobs and very real careers right here at home. It’s about creating opportunity for Saskatchewan people, Saskatchewan. Business and it’s about securing affordable, reliable power for every family in this province for generations to come, and securing every opportunity we have to continue to attract investment and provide careers for those same families for every generation to come. Nuclear development represents a multi-decade economic opportunity. (A) multi-decade economic opportunity-one that will create 1000s of jobs across the engineering, construction, manufacturing, transportation, operations, and maintenance sectors. And I talked earlier about the discussions that we had in London with Sheldon Wuttunee, and subsequent and leading up to that with Eric Anderson and his group at SIMSA as well. It will create opportunities for tradespeople, for Indigenous businesses, technological companies, fabricators, suppliers, and it will create those jobs in communities right across Saskatchewan and dare I say, right across Canada.”
Harrison said, “Partnerships and collaboration are essential to the work we do every day, and the University of Saskatchewan plays a vital role in advancing innovation, research, and energy development across our province. We chose this chemical engineering lab today for today’s announcement with a purpose. This is where Saskatchewan’s future nuclear workforce is being built. The students learning and conducting research here today are the engineers, innovators, and industry leaders who will shape our province’s energy future for decades to come.
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“Through hands-on learning, research, and training, they’re gaining the knowledge and skills needed to support Saskatchewan’s growing nuclear sector. The University of Saskatchewan is an essential partner in our province’s energy future, from educating the next generation of engineers to developing industry leaders through the Canadian Executive Nuclear Energy Management School. The university ensures Saskatchewan has the talent, expertise, and leadership needed to support a strong and steady nuclear future.”
The following speakers included University of Saskatchewan President Vince Bruni-Bossio, Sheldon Wuttunee of Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence, Eric Anderson of the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association, and Tyler Holmen of the International Brotherhood of Electrical workers. Click on each of the links to be taken to the stories on their respective speeches.
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Selected questions from the media and answers:
Pipeline Online: Premier, I’m not sure if this is for you or for the minister here, but can you please elaborate on timelines and cost? Because part of the document here says one at first power in 2042, but also says that Bruce, which has already started its application process back in ’24, is looking at first power until early to mid-2040s. To me, that looks like you need to make the final investment decision basically now, as well as site selection almost immediately and get this stuff going quick.
Scott Moe: Well, I would say there’s a number of things that are going to impact timelines on when decision decisions need to be made, and Minister Harrison will have some to add to this, and probably even some of what I’m going to say he may correct.
However, I would say that those decisions will be made when they’re made, as we find our way through this process. There are variables, like we see changing legislation at the federal at the federal level. We see the introduction of the electricity strategy at the federal level. All of this can have an impact on what has been the traditionally accepted timeline for a nuclear outbuild in in this province. Notwithstanding any of those criteria and timelines that need to be met as we make decisions, approach decision points along the way. The work, the intent of the government is very clear here, today, to build out our nuclear capacity to benefit generations into the future, but to do so in a way that is very much benefiting those same generations by participating in that outbuild as well.
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And this is much of the discussion that Sheldon (Wuttunee) and Eric (Anderson) and myself, myself and the minister and others have had Minister (Ken) Cheveldayoff here, Minister of Advanced Education, have had over the last while, and so that work matters. And whether that work happens prior to decision points that are being approached and being made, that work truly, truly matters, if these are going to be projects that benefit everyone, not just electricity projects, but are projects that are going to benefit people that live in communities, and we have many communities leaders here that are impacted by the opportunity that’s presented here today. That’s the goal.
And so there are decision points that will be that will be made along the way. You are correct, by historical factors, that historical regulatory requirements that we had, that there would have to be decision points made fairly quickly with respect to the technology, the site, all of those all of those items.
But you know, on the front of the podium here, it says strong steady Saskatchewan. That’s the approach we’re taking to this. This is going to be a strong, steady process to ensure that we are making decisions that are right on behalf of the people that we represent today, and are right on behalf of the people that will utilize this power for not just a few decades but generations to come, and are right on behalf of the people that and creating that opportunity for a very fulsome engagement economically in using the outbuild of this these nuclear reactors to truly size and scope companies in Saskatchewan so that they can participate in the global outbuild of reactors that we see happening, and that is significant.
And that takes us back to COP 28 many years ago in Dubai, where it was 20 some countries at that point in time that had committed to tripling the number of reactors on Earth, and that is closer now. I believe 39 or 40 countries have signed on to that agreement to significantly expand the nuclear capacity and the nuclear power on Earth, and Saskatchewan very much, I think, has an opportunity to participate in that to a fulsome degree. So, regulatory timelines-they’re changing rapidly at the federal level, and this is a federal process. Second to that, we will make the decisions when we have the appropriate information and have are satisfied that we are going to be able to capitalize on the opportunities as a province and as a nation to strengthen our nation, to strengthen our province, and to strengthen the very communities, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, across this province. Which what is a significant generational investment? Anything to add or correct?
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Crown Investments Corp Minister and Minister Responsible for SaskPower Jeremy Harrison, right, and Premier Scott Moe. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
Jeremy Harrison: Well, nothing to correct. I’d say though, firstly, number one. Thanks, Brian. You know, hardest questions come from Brian, who is the one of the most knowledgeable people in the province, notwithstanding as notwithstanding the most knowledgeable journalist in the province on these questions. One of the most knowledgeable people in the province, including within the company. So, thanks, Brian, for for your passion and reporting on these matters with regard to with regard to the timeframes, you know, Premier well pointed out that this is a rapidly evolving landscape.
You know, just a couple of weeks ago, I sat down with Pierre Tremblay, who’s the (president) of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. We had a very good discussion about what is achievable, what is realistic, and I am very comfortable. Although we are, we’re going to push hard. I am very comfortable that what we have put forward as far as 2042 being a very realistic time frame for large scale nuclear.
I would say as well, the partnership with the government of Canada has been a real one and has been a substantive one. We have had some very, very good working, not just relationships, but very, very good discussions about what that long term plan looks like. Not just for Saskatchewan, but how that fits into the broader Western Canadian energy matrix. The Premier and Premier Smith and Premier Simpson, you know, have been far ahead of the curve on working together on transmission build out capacity, planning for all of the things that need to be necessary in order for nuclear deployment to be a viable long-term option in in Western Canada as well. So that has all really been, I think, a very positive nation-building exercise.
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I’ve said publicly often that there’s a lot in Canada that pushes us apart. Nuclear is one of those things that really can bring the country together. From Ontario to Western Canada to New Brunswick, we have elements of our nuclear supply chain right across the country. This is something that can bring the country together, and I credit the the government of Canada for being prepared to work closely with us on the nuclear strategy, on the electricity strategy, it all goes together in a very holistic way for us to get to the point to make the announcement that we are today.
Pipeline Online: The one thing that is clear today is that a decision point has been made. You announced that Rafferty will be the site for first nuclear. Is that still going to be first over northwest Saskatchewan, and is there any possibility it could go large nuclear instead of small?
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Jeremy Harrison: Yeah, we did. So that is that is a major part of the announcement actually today as well is around the Rafferty site selection. So this has been a process that SaskPower have been working through in great detail and working with working with proximate nations in the southeast, working with the city of Estevan, working on the technical elements that go along with this.
So, I would say that we’re continuing on the on the dual track, which I’ve talked about before. The SMR track continues along. You know, I’ve also said that we’re going to make a decision when a decision is ready to be made, and that will be to a degree dependent on progress at the at the Darlington project, of which OPG have been a very good partner to us as well. I would leave the door open as well to large scale deployment in locations, not just the northwest but the southeast as well. So we’re working through all of that. You know, there’s going to be, you know, a lot of learnings from OPG, but I would say that you know we very much are working still on the SMR track and on the large scale track.
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Cost?
Several reporters asked about the cost of building these reactors, and were not given hard answers. What is clear is that in the spring of 2021, OPG proceeded to begin construction on its four-unit Darlington New Nuclear Project at a cost of $21 billion. These are four units of the same design as what SaskPower has chosen for the Rafferty site near Estevan. However, as they are the first BWRX-300 units to be built in the world (dozens are in the works around the planet, including Tennessee and Poland) they are anticipated to include much higher first-of-its-kind costs. Additionally, that facility involves a substantial tunnel into Lake Ontario for once-through cooling system, similar to other Ontario reactors, all of which are on the massive Great Lakes.
The day after the Saskatoon announcement, the Trump administration announced a major nuclear initiative in cooperation with South Korea to build up to eight large scale reactors in the United States. Six of those are expected to be Westinghouse AP1000 units (a leading contender for SaskPower), and two APR1400s (A Korean model, based on the Westinghouse AP1000 design). According to a U.S. Department of Commerce fact sheet published on Sept. 30, the total cost for those eight units is “Funding totals US$120 billion. Out of the US$120 billion, US$100 billion is slated for construction costs (overnight costs) and US$20 billion for contingency reserves. These reserves are counted toward the investment amount.”
Those are all in US dollars. Including contingency, that works out to an average of US$15 billion per reactor. However, since the 1400 megawatt-capable APR1400s are more substantial units, the cost of the AP1000s would conceivably be less per unit. That’s also not accounting for dollar conversion.
https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2105398266414153884?s=20
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As for questions with regard to the cost of Saskatchewan’s nuclear projects, back to the press conference:
Reporter A: Not a lot of mention of dollar signs in these documents. Do you have a general cost estimate for some of these things, and if you have a commitment from the federal government?
Scott Moe: We’re working with the federal government and some of the regulatory space, some of the interties, and some of you know the opportunities that we see that will be forthcoming in you know building out some of our workforce to truly participate in the economic opportunities that can come from this size of an outbuild.
The dollars invested in a facility like this change over time as there’s more being built. The the goal is for the investment dollars actually to decrease at maybe a larger rate than inflation is happening as well. That’s why there’s no dollar dollars invested in this, as we are a while away from actually making that investment yet.
But you will see, and you are seeing outbuild of a number of reactors globally, today, and so you can look as to you know what the first generation of those reactors or the first build of those reactors is in a certain jurisdiction, and then check with what second, third, maybe fourth, fifth. I think the U.S. is committed to eight or 10 of them. That definitely will be something that we watch very closely as we go through the next number of years.
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Reporter A: And we know the large amount, I guess, of capital spending for SaskPower right now, with all of these other plans you’ve announced recently and its debt load that it’s carrying. What’s the financial plan here to kind of stomach this and avoid potential, you know, drastic rate hikes for for customers in the province?
Jeremy Harrison: As far as kind of the the long term, I mean, these are 80-90 year investments as far as the reactors themselves.
With regard to the financing component, I would say that there is you know a significantly evolving landscape with regard to financing. You know the Sizewell C project, where the premier had just visited a couple of weeks ago. We’ve had some very good discussions with those who have been at the center of that project, where really there’s a significant element of private sector financing in that project, including Canadian pension fund, a Canadian pension fund which is a 20 per cent owner of the project, not investing in Canadian projects, which I think to to many is is a bit counterintuitive.
So I think that there is a very real path for private sector financing to be a part of the conversation. That’s something we’re working through with the federal government as well. There’s going to be a close collaboration and coordination on how all of that works. But I wouldn’t take it as given that there is a day one outlay from governments for the full capital cost. There are a number of different options on how this can work going forward. We’re going to explore all of those with regard to SaskPower. I really think the fundamentals of Sask Power are very very strong, and I think you’re going to see that increasingly demonstrated in the weeks as we go forward here, we have a significant growth in electricity demand in the province, which is a good thing. I think it reflects investment in the private sector and industry, but it also shows that the investments we are making into grid and transmission infrastructure and generation are going to be very good investments for the people of this province in the long term. So I’ll kind of leave it for there. There’ll be there’ll be more news on that as we go forward. But I really am very bullish on the on the future position of SaskPower.
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Reporter B: I’ve seen reports that say you know these reactors could cost between $5 million to $24 million based on other projects that have gone ahead. I’m curious you know what kind of funding schemes not schemes but models are you potentially looking at? Would it be fully owned by SaskPower or would you be open to other ownership?
Scott Moe: It’d be billions, and likely your numbers are are somewhat correct. There’s a number of different financing models. Minister Harrison just spoke to the situation in Sizewell C, which is different than what we see happening in Poland, which is somewhat different than what we see happening in the Czech Republic, which again is different than what we may or what we’ll see south of the border in the United States of America, one of the things that we have been looking at as a government and as a power utility is comparing those various financial models that are there.
We have various financial models within the province as well. We have a number of renewable sites, wind sites, for example, where we don’t own any of the infrastructure, we actually just sign a power purchase agreement and purchase the available power from those. We have that with natural gas providers in the province as well. So I would say that you know all options are a possibility. This was a discussion at the investment summit that Prime Minister Carney had hosted in Toronto about a week ago, I suppose, or a little bit more, and those from the nuclear industry were present for that discussion as well.
So there’s a number of financing models that are there. One of them is wholly owned by SaskPower and the government. Our current existing assets aren’t that case. But what I would say is, when it comes to building and operating the facility, we have the expertise actually standing right here on all fronts of that. We have the operators, we have the the members that can build a facility like this and help build facilities like this around the world.
So that’ll be an answer to a question at a later date. We’re looking at the various models that are there, and will be driven by affordable, reliable power for the people of the province, and what model we select at that at that point in time. I’ve already seen various variances in the costing of various models.
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