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Oregon-based small modular reactor developer NuScale to announce it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG), Ontario’s public electricity generator, who has agreed to support NuScale in its vendor design review (VDR) with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

The agreement brings NuScale a strong ally in its efforts to bring its technology to market fruition in Canada.

NuScale is currently working on a service agreement to submit a VDR application with the CNSC. The goal of the VDR is to ensure the nuclear power plant design meets Canadian nuclear regulatory requirements and expectations, as well as Canadian codes and standards. After the service agreement is signed, NuScale and the CNSC will develop a project execution plan for the content and timing of the subsequent submissions.

NuScale’s technology is already the world’s first and only SMR to undergo design certification application review by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Through the new agreement, OPG will offer expertise to support not only NuScale’s VDR application currently under development with the CNSC, but also the further evaluation of development, licensing, and deployment of the first NuScale power plant in Canada.

“We’re proud to support NuScale’s efforts to enter the Canadian market,” said Jeff Lehman, OPG’s Vice President of New Nuclear Development. “From our work on the NuScale Advisory Board, we know that the company’s small modular reactor technology holds strong potential for Canadian electricity users. In support of Canada’s climate change goals, we look forward to supporting NuScale as they move through the Canadian regulatory process.”

In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is scheduled to complete NuScale’s Design Certification application in September 2020. NuScale’s first customer, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, is on track to deploy the U.S.’s first SMR plant in the mid-2020s.