Canada’s Belledune Port Authority has announced it is working with Cross River Infrastructure Partners to pursue the use of advanced small modular reactor (aSMR) technology as part of a future expansion at the northern New Brunswick port.

The development proposes to use an aSMR from ARC Clean Technology Canada (ARC) to generate a minimum of 1GW of zero-emission firm heat and power for industrial users at the port’s recently announced Green Energy Hub. Pending feasibility studies, environmental approvals and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission licensing, the project could reach commercial operation between 2030 and 2035.

Project developer Cross River and ARC have committed to early engagement with stakeholders, local communities, and First Nations prior to and during the formal regulatory approvals process. Information sessions will be scheduled in the coming weeks and months to ensure meaningful and transparent dialogue.

“We look forward to exploring the use of aSMR technology as part of our portfolio of clean energy projects at the Green Energy Hub, along with new wind energy developments, solar and biomass, as well as leading edge energy storage solutions,” said Belledune Port Authority President and CEO Denis Caron. “We anticipate significant First Nations and community interest in this project and will ensure the proponents provide informative and timely engagement opportunities for northern New Brunswickers. Maintaining and sustaining these relationships is critical to our collective success.”

The Green Energy Hub is a special development district on Port lands intended for clean energy projects, along with complementary, low-carbon industries to support northern economic growth. It is a key piece of the Port’s recently announced 2022-2052 Master Development Plan.

In August, the Port announced an agreement with Cross River to develop a hydrogen facility powered by green-certified energy that would produce ammonia fuel for export. Planned expansions would create additional capacity to serve local, domestic, and international markets. The facility would be located at the Port’s Green Energy Hub.

The aSMR project would see the development of an ARC-100 unit to serve as an energy source for expanded hydrogen production and other industries based at the Port, which may include metal fabrication and advanced manufacturing.

“One of the key advantages of the ARC reactors is their ability to provide a tremendous amount of high temperature steam and power in a small space. As they are utilizing proven technology, we believe the ARC-100 is the best advanced nuclear reactor to provide as an energy solution for heavy industry,” said Andrew Wilder, CEO of Cross River Infrastructure Partners.

In 2018, ARC Clean Technology launched a demonstration project for the ARC 100 unit at NB Power’s Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station (PLNGS) as part of Canada’s SMR Roadmap. Pending regulatory approvals and licensing, the PLNGS unit will be commissioned by 2029. ARC’s proposed project in Belledune would provide added scale for New Brunswick and could serve as a model for ARC’s technology to be used as a direct energy source for industry.

 

Image: ARC's vision of an ACR-100 plant (courtesy of ARC)