The Saskatchewan government on Tuesday unveiled a plan that formally adds two large nuclear reactors to the province’s long-range electricity strategy and sets a target of producing at least 2,600 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050.
What the plan proposes
Speaking at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Engineering, Premier Scott Moe outlined steps to identify a site in the province’s northwest, along the North Saskatchewan River, that could support large-scale commercial nuclear generation. The government says SaskPower will now begin planning work to advance the potential development of two conventional reactors in that region.
"Nuclear power will be a cornerstone of a reliable, affordable and secure electricity system in Saskatchewan," said Jeremy Harrison, minister of the Crown Investments Corporation, in a statement included with the release.
The announcement also confirmed ongoing development in the southeast: SaskPower has selected a site near the City of Estevan for further study of a small modular reactor (SMR) expected to deliver at least 600 MW.
Targets and timeline
| Item | Target / note |
|---|---|
| Total nuclear target by 2050 | At least 2,600 MW |
| Large reactors planned | Two reactors in northwest Saskatchewan (first online target around 2042) |
| SMR development | Site near Estevan selected for further study; aim of 600 MW |
Local and sector implications
SaskPower’s president and CEO, Rupen Pandaya, framed the plan as a route to reliable, emissions-free baseload generation that would support economic growth and meet rising electricity demand. Industry stakeholders welcomed the direction: Cameco CEO Tim Gitzel said his company was pleased the province was recognising nuclear’s role for future growth.
Key points for communities, municipalities and Indigenous governments include:
- Site selection processes that the province says will include "meaningful engagement" with local communities and Indigenous peoples.
- Long lead times: large commercial reactors would require multi-decade planning, regulatory approvals and construction schedules; the provincial plan sets staged milestones.
- Complementarity with other generation: the province calls the approach "all-of-the-above," positioning nuclear alongside coal, wind, solar, hydro and natural gas.
The government did not release detailed cost estimates, financing arrangements or specific vendor selections in Tuesday’s release. Officials said SaskPower has already been evaluating large-reactor technologies and will now move into formal planning and site assessment work in the northwest, building on prior site assessment experience in the Estevan area.
For residents and local governments, the announcement raises questions about environmental assessment timelines, Indigenous consultation processes and municipal infrastructure planning. Those details, along with regulatory approvals and technical studies, will determine the pace at which projects can progress toward the targets laid out by the province.
As Saskatchewan positions nuclear as a central element of its long-term electricity mix, the coming months are likely to focus on site studies, community engagement and the regulatory steps needed to turn the plan’s targets into tangible projects.
