Saskatchewan has set a goal of producing at least 2,600 megawatts of nuclear power by 2050, the provincial government announced Sept. 29. The plan, titled Delivering Energy Security Through Nuclear Power, directs the provincial utility SaskPower to begin planning for the potential development of two large nuclear reactors in the province's northwest.

The province's initial goal is for those reactors to generate more than 2,000 megawatts, with the first expected online by 2042. SaskPower will also continue planning for small modular reactor deployment near Estevan, in southeast Saskatchewan, with a goal of at least 600 megawatts.

The announcement is significant because Saskatchewan, a province of about 1.2 million people, does not currently generate nuclear power. It is also home to some of the world's richest uranium deposits, which officials framed as a strategic advantage.

The Plan in Numbers

Premier Scott Moe announced the plan at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He said 600 megawatts could power the equivalent of Regina and Saskatoon, the province's two largest cities, while 2,600 megawatts could power the equivalent of about 2.6 million homes, according to The Deep Dive's report.

Moe framed the plan as a response to rising electricity demand. "We're likely going to need all of this power," he said, adding that the province would likely need more.

The government's language matters. The release describes planning for the potential development of large reactors, not a final decision to build them. SaskPower will evaluate potential locations and engage with local communities and Indigenous peoples, according to the province's nuclear plan backgrounder. One candidate area is along the North Saskatchewan River near Lloydminster, where Bruce Power ran feasibility studies nearly two decades ago, but no site has been chosen.

Key Decisions Still Ahead

For the small modular reactor, SaskPower has selected the Rafferty site near Estevan for further study, according to the province. GE Vernova Hitachi said in the government's release that SaskPower is moving toward its BWRX-300 design, the same technology Ontario Power Generation is deploying at Darlington. The project, first floated in 2019, still requires a final investment decision, expected before 2030.

The province has not chosen a design for the large reactors, and competing vendors were quoted in the release. Westinghouse Canada promoted its AP1000 reactor, while AtkinsRéalis, which markets Canada's CANDU technology, emphasized that CANDU "can be fueled by Saskatchewan's world-class uranium resources" without dependence on foreign enrichment, said CEO Ian Edwards.

Cost is also unknown, and Moe said it was premature to estimate it. The province plans to approach federal institutions and Canada's Major Projects Office for financing, and it has not ruled out private capital. All reactors would also need licensing from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the federal regulator, before construction.

Supporters and the Questions Critics Raise

Industry groups welcomed the plan. Cameco, the Saskatoon-based uranium producer, said it looks forward to competing for the province's business. CEO Tim Gitzel said nuclear power offers "economic, environmental and energy security benefits."

Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison said the plan "gives SaskPower a clear path to meet growing demand." The Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence said it welcomed the chance to ensure First Nations are meaningfully involved in shaping the path forward.

Large nuclear projects have a mixed record on schedule and budget across North America, and the province has not yet published cost estimates or an analysis of effects on electricity rates. Long-term waste management, water use from the North Saskatchewan River and community consent are issues that site selection and federal review will have to address.

Wider Stakes for Energy and Climate Planning

The plan reflects a broader trend across North America, where utilities facing rising demand from industry, population growth and electrification are reconsidering nuclear power as a source of steady, low-carbon electricity. Saskatchewan's current mix includes coal, natural gas, wind, solar and hydro, so adding nuclear generation would cut electricity emissions if it displaces fossil fuel plants.

The timeline is long. A reactor online in 2042 is about 16 years away, and the 2050 goal stretches across several provincial election cycles. That gives future governments room to change course, and it means early decisions about sites and technology will shape costs for decades. The next several years are likely to be dominated by site studies, technology selection and financing talks rather than construction.

Readers in the U.S. may see parallels with American utilities weighing new reactors and small modular designs. The Tennessee Valley Authority has applied to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build a BWRX-300 at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, according to World Nuclear News, and Saskatchewan uranium already fuels reactors in other countries.

What Readers Want to Know

What did Saskatchewan announce?

The province set a goal of at least 2,600 megawatts of nuclear power by 2050, including planning for two large reactors in the northwest and continued small modular reactor work near Estevan.

When could the first reactor come online?

The province says the first large reactor is expected to be online by 2042.

Has Saskatchewan decided to build the reactors?

Not yet. The government describes planning for the potential development of two large reactors. Sites, designs, costs and financing have not been finalized.

How much power is 2,600 megawatts?

Premier Scott Moe said 2,600 megawatts could power the equivalent of about 2.6 million homes.

Where would the reactors go?

The large reactors are planned for northwest Saskatchewan, possibly along the North Saskatchewan River. SaskPower has selected the Rafferty site near Estevan for further study for a small modular reactor.

How much will it cost?

Moe said it was premature to estimate costs. The province plans to seek federal financing and has not ruled out private investment.