Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is one step closer to hosting a new demonstration reactor at the Chalk River labs.

CNL announced Wednesday that it has signed a “project host agreement” with Global First Power Ltd (GFP) in support of GFP’s proposed “micro modular reactor” (MMR) project.

“The agreement establishes the framework under which GFP and CNL will work co-operatively with respect to licensing, design, siting and other matters to support advancement of the project,” the announcement said.

“The finalization of the agreement is a significant milestone for both parties as they collaborate to lead the advancement of small modular reactors (SMR) in Canada.”

“SMR vendors are in a global race to be first to market. This agreement cements Global First Power as the Canadian leader in off-grid SMRs, which can unlock emissions-free resource projects and get remote communities off diesel,” said Robby Sohi, GFP’s president and CEO.

“Signing the agreement is an important milestone which demonstrates the commitment of both CNL and GFP to progress this important clean energy project.”

CNL president and CEO Joe McBrearty said the company is “excited to reach this major milestone with Global First Power to site a demonstration small modular reactor at the Chalk River Laboratories campus.”

“This agreement is the culmination of many months of hard work by both parties, and creates a framework for the project as it moves forward,” he said.

“It is encouraging to see momentum continue to build towards the construction of the next-generation of nuclear reactors. Canada has a niche opportunity in off-grid technologies for resource extraction and remote communities. This project will help to sustain the leadership position already established.”

CNL has identified SMRs as one of eight strategic initiatives the company is pursuing as part of its Long-Term Strategy, with the goal of siting an SMR by 2026.

In addition to electricity production, CNL says the energy from an SMR could be used for the production of hydrogen, for local area heating, or in industrial processes which require heat or steam.

CNL says Canada has a “proud track record in the design, construction, licence and operation of small reactors,” including the WR-1 at Whiteshell, and the SLOWPOKE reactor, “another AECL design successfully deployed in universities and research institutions across the globe.”

“In Chalk River, we can point to the ZEEP, NRX, NRU, PTR, and ZED-2 reactors as examples of success in first-of-a-kind deployment.”

“Canada, enabled by the hard work and ingenuity of many people still resident in our surrounding communities, led the world. We will do it again,” the company says.

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