Saskatchewan has taken a major step toward a nuclear-powered future by starting a formal review of large nuclear reactor technologies. The move aims to secure reliable, low-emission electricity for the province’s growing needs and build on current work with smaller nuclear systems called small modular reactors (SMRs).
The announcement was made on January 28, 2026 by SaskPower and the Government of Saskatchewan. It explained that experts will now evaluate large nuclear reactors, the big power stations that have been used in Canada and other countries for decades, to see if they could work in the province’s power grid.
Energy officials say this review will happen alongside work on SMRs, which are smaller, factory-built nuclear units that can be added more quickly and cost-effectively to the power mix. Planning for large reactors will take place while the first SMR site is being prepared near Estevan, with site planning expected later this year.
Why Nuclear?
Nuclear power produces electricity without carbon emissions, and it can run steadily day and night, unlike some wind and solar systems that depend on weather. Saskatchewan’s energy strategy highlights the need for dependable baseload power as demand grows over the coming decades. Officials believe nuclear could help meet that need while also strengthening long-term energy security.
The provincial minister responsible for SaskPower, Jeremy Harrison, said nuclear power, both large reactors and SMRs, could help Saskatchewan use its own uranium resources and even export electricity in the future.
Long Timeline, Big Questions
Experts stress that building a large nuclear plant is a years-long process. Officials estimate it could take 15 to 20 years or more from early planning through licensing, siting and construction before a reactor begins producing power. That’s why Saskatchewan is starting assessments now, even though actual construction wouldn’t begin for many years if a decision is made.
Before any construction starts, regulators, Indigenous communities and local stakeholders must be consulted, and strict safety and environmental reviews completed. Decisions about nuclear power involve careful planning and public engagement because these projects are large and long-lasting.
