The Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) has the power to make the right decisions when it comes to the future of clean energy for its member communities. Last week, the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) and MLTC signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for collaboration regarding the applications of microreactors in the MLTC’s nine bands. “The knowledge and expertise gained from SRC’s initial microreactor project will be shared with our Indigenous communities and organizations to help them evaluate whether this technology has applications that can help them meet their unique edge-of-grid power needs and industrial clean energy requirements,” Meadow Lake MLA and minister responsible for SRC Jeremy Harrison said. “Developing microreactors in Saskatchewan will have a huge impact on the provincial economy, creating social and economic opportunities.”

In November 2023, the Government of Saskatchewan announced $80 million in funding for SRC to pursue licensing and commercial deployment of a microreactor. SRC will apply the research and knowledge gained from the operation of that microreactor to help pave the way for future microreactor projects. A nuclear microreactor is a plug-and-play type of nuclear reactor which can be easily assembled and transported by road, rail or air. Microreactors are 100-1,000 times smaller than conventional nuclear reactors, and when compared with small modular reactors (SMRs), their capacity is between one and 20 megawatts whereas SMRs comes in the range from 20-300 megawatts. Due to their size, they can be deployed to locations such as isolated military bases or communities affected by natural disasters. It can operate as part of the grid, independent of the grid, or as part of a small grid for electricity generation and heat treatment. They are designed to provide resilient, non-carbon emitting, and independent power in challenging environments.

“The Meadow Lake Tribal Council is pleased to commence work alongside SRC in exploring new clean energy technologies,” MLTC chief Richard Ben said. “Specifically, our joint effort evaluating how microreactor technology may assist our rural and remote Saskatchewan First Nation communities. Through this collaboration with SRC, MLTC hopes to gain a better understanding of nuclear energy technology and deployment options in addressing long standing issues related to reliable and affordable heat and power in northern communities.” This was echoed by Mike Crabtree, SRC president and CEO. “Microreactors may be a good fit for northern Indigenous industries and communities who are looking for reliable heat and power,” Crabtree noted. “Through this collaboration with Meadow Lake Tribal Council, SRC will look to build relationships around potential applications and future microreactor deployments in Saskatchewan.” SRC is Canada’s second-largest research and technology organization. With nearly 350 employees, $232 million in annual revenue and 76 years of experience, SRC provides services and products to its 1,600 clients in 22 countries around the world.

Meanwhile, in a subsequent post made via social media, Ben remarked the collaboration involved in this endeavour has been a strong statement of Indigenous inclusion in the future of Saskatchewan’s clean energy program. “With its current clean energy experience and assets in solar and bioenergy, the Meadow Lake Tribal Council is well-positioned to engage possible deployment of this next generation uranium battery to meet the essential energy needs of our nine communities,” he noted. “MLTC First Nations have had a long history of engagement in Saskatchewan’s uranium mining sector. The opportunity to put this same energy source to safe and productive use locally for the betterment of our First Nations communities is a virtuous, full circle outcome that we applaud.”

When speaking with Northern Pride following last week’s MOU signing, Harrison said the partnership between MLTC and SRC is highly significant. “And it’s been the result of a lot of hard work on both ends,” he added. “Informal discussions started years ago – almost at the same time as the project and discussion with Westinghouse Nuclear began. As SRC minister, I feel very strongly – for projects like this to be successful into the future – there has to be meaningful Indigenous involvement and partnership from the start. The obvious partner for SRC on the project was the Meadow Lake Tribal Council given much of the uranium in the province is on the traditional lands of MLTC First Nations, and also given the business success and acumen of MLTC.”