SNC-Lavalin

Overview

The world’s demand for sustainable power is ever increasing and SNC-Lavalin is up to the task. Our highly-respected Nuclear experts have a long and successful track record of working with nuclear regulators in Canada and abroad. We help countries develop their nuclear programs and license a variety of commercial and research reactors.

Our size, global reach and unparalleled experience enables us to develop our in-house technology offerings (See the CANDU technology chapter for SNC-Lavalin’s CANDU Small Modular Reactor (CSMR)) but it also means we are ready to support other technologies along their development journeys. Small modular reactor (SMR) vendors know they can rely on us to complete their designs to a level where they can be licensed, because of our extensive experience licensing traditional designs in Canada, and internationally. With over 60 years of experience in the nuclear industry, our team has successfully delivered nuclear projects in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

We provide solutions

We assist SMR vendors to complete their designs to a level where they can be licensed. This includes not only the reactor core, but also balance of plant, civil works, decommissioning plans and other key factors that go into completing a reactor design. We have extensive experience in licensing non-traditional designs in both Canada and the world abroad. Our experts put their broad engineering and project expertise to use to find the best solutions for our clients.

Working with regulators

As the steward of Canadian CANDU® technology, SNC-Lavalin is uniquely positioned to guide new SMR designers through the regulatory process for the best chance of success.
Because of our experience working with regulators, we know what they are looking for. We can help our clients understand the intricacies of nuclear licensing and provide guidance to address questions about novel technologies in SMR designs. Our team guides clients to:

• understand how existing regulatory requirements apply to novel technologies and features in SMR designs;
• develop acceptable approaches to facilitate the adoption of these new technologies as proven engineering practices;
• develop a thorough understanding of the activities that challenge existing licensing and operational models; and
• address and deal with government policy issues that affect financing, design reviews and other components.

Full Licensing Services

We help vendors go through the full licensing process from environmental assessment, licence to prepare site, licence to construct, licence to operate and licence to decommission. In addition, our experts can guide clients through the Canadian regulator’s pre-licensing process, which is divided into three stages, each requiring increasingly more detailed technical information than the last.

Achieving Net Zero

SNC-Lavalin has built its last seven CANDU reactors on budget and on schedule. Our impressive track record, coupled with extensive and recent expertise in this area, allows us to help SMR vendors accurately predict all-in costs and achievable schedules and successfully execute them.

In order to achieve its climate targets, Canada needs to create abundant green energy sources, and needs to do it quickly. In order for Canadians to include SMRs as part of our solution, it is vital that Canadians see that this can be done safely, with demonstrated reliability and that it can be done on time and on budget.

Representation

Dating back to the 1950s, SNC-Lavalin has a long history of working with Indigenous communities across every region of the country. A long-standing member of the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business (CCAB), the company recently strengthened its approach in 2019 by joining the CCAB’s Progressive Aboriginal Relations Program (PAR). This best-in-class program commits SNC-Lavalin to work with indigenous interests across Canada to create strengthened economic cultural and economic partnerships that preserve and strengthen indigenous communities.

Summary and Commitment

SNC-Lavalin fully endorses the Statement of Principles. We are committed to Canada’s prominent place as a nuclear innovator and fully support action on Canada’s SMR roadmap to provide clean, sustainable energy for Canadians and for the world.

ACTIONS