Westinghouse’s Fragman (left) and OPG’s Ken Hartwick at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris. (Photo: Westinghouse)
Westinghouse Electric Company and Ontario Power Generation have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a framework to identify potential areas of cooperation for the deployment of nuclear technologies in Canada, the companies jointly announced this morning. (While based in Cranberry Township, Pa., Westinghouse is owned by Canadian firms Brookfield Asset Management and Cameco.)
Signing the MOU in Paris at the World Nuclear Exhibition 2023 were Westinghouse president and chief executive officer Patrick Fragman and OPG president and CEO Ken Hartwick.
The companies will seek the following, according to the announcement:
- To explore potential commercial opportunities for Westinghouse’s AP1000, AP300, and eVinci reactor technologies.
- To investigate licensing and regulatory pathways for new nuclear projects in Canada.
- To examine other potential areas for collaboration in the new build market.
Signers’ language: “Westinghouse looks forward to further developing our long-standing relationship with OPG and to the opportunities that our full set of advanced reactor technologies offers for a very diverse set of market needs,” said Fragman. “The AP1000 reactor has achieved fleet status, providing exceptional availability and economics. For that reason, we based the AP300 SMR on this proven, licensed technology. Along with the eVinci microreactor for a myriad of applications for communities and industry, we are proud to explore these technologies with OPG for Canada.”
Hartwick added, “There is no credible path to net zero, and to reliably meeting increasing clean electricity demand related to rapid electrification, without nuclear power. Along with building four SMRs at our Darlington new nuclear site, we believe it is prudent to explore all nuclear technologies that could help build out the grid in a timely, cost-effective way that benefits Ontario ratepayers.”
