Candu Energy, part of AtkinsRéalis has reported that as of 12 December it has issued over CAD1bn ($700m) in purchase orders into the Candu nuclear supply chain across more than 350 companies for 2024. Some 97% of this investment was issued to Canadian companies.
Candu Energy President & CEO Gary Rose said: “We continue to call on our governments to support the Canadian nuclear sector and protect Canadian jobs in their drive to reach net-zero emissions. Large Candu nuclear reactors – the only technology designed, built, supplied and serviced from within Canada – are essential to meet our clean energy needs while supporting Canadian workers during construction, and over their 70 years of operations. Due to its natural uranium fuel source that does not require foreign enrichment capabilities, Candu is also the only option that guarantees Canada’s energy security.”
Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) began developing the first Candu (Canada deuterium uranium) pressurised heavy water reactor PHWR) in the late 1950s. In 1971, the first Candu reactors began operation at the Pickering NPP in Ontario. AtkinsRéalis is the original equipment manufacturer of Candu technology (SNC-Lavalin Group rebranded to AtkinsRéalis in 2023). Candu reactors currently operate in Canada, Argentina, China, India, Pakistan, Romania and South Korea, while India’s PHWRs are also based on the Candu design. In February 28, the Canadians for Candu campaign was launched to promote the deployment of Candu technology at home and abroad.
AtkinsRéalis unveiled its new Candu Monark reactor design in 2023. It features a larger output of 1,000 MWe, compared with existing Candu reactors, improved cost per megawatt-hour, a longer operating life of 70 years, sustainable design principles to minimise environmental impact, the latest in robotics, predictive maintenance and high integration with flexible electricity grids of the future.
The reactor has been designed to simplify maintenance, while incorporating a module-based construction strategy that reduces construction compared with previous generations of Candu technology. When combined with the enhanced control afforded by digital delivery concepts, it will be constructed faster and with lower risk.
In June, a study commissioned by AtkinsRéalis from the Conference Board of Canada (CBofC) showed that the construction of a four-unit Candu Monark NPP would have a positive economic impact in Canada and create thousands of jobs.
The study found that construction of a four-unit Candu Monark plant would boost Canada’s GDP by more than CAD90bn. The manufacturing, engineering, and construction phase of four units would generate more than CAD40.9bn of GDP impact for Canada and equivalent to over 20,000 full time, well-paying jobs and over 324,000 person-years of employment, as well as an additional CAD49.5 bn of GDP impact during the operation phase. The power plant will sustain 3,500 full-time equivalent jobs a year over its 70 -plus year operating life.
In June, Candu Energy entered into a special project with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to develop a plan for a Pre-Licensing Design Review of the Candu Monark reactor. This will consider its suitability to be licensed and built in Canada.
