The transition from siting to site evaluation

As Saskatchewan's leading energy provider, Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) maintains and operates a large fleet of electricity generation facilities. SaskPower is evaluating its long-term electricity supply strategy to meet a net-zero emissions target. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are being assessed as a viable technology that can support the long-term goal of producing reliable power with zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In March 2021, SaskPower's Board of Directors approved the start of the planning phase for the SMR project. As part of the planning phase, SaskPower is in the process of selecting and evaluating potential locations for an SMR facility. Site selection focuses on technical, environmental, economic, and social considerations. Following site selection, the project will transition to formal site evaluation as part of the Impact Assessment (IA) process and according to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) REGDOC-1.1.1, Site Evaluation and Site Preparation for New Reactor Facilities. Some of the areas that will be described in this paper are: • The graded approach of site evaluation. • Site evaluation criteria and requirements. • Scoping and planning of baseline environmental surveys. This paper will highlight the work done to date in this transition and how site evaluation fits within the initial stages of SMR development. (author)