Private sector advances proposal for large-scale nuclear power plant in northern Alberta

As Alberta grapples with the climate crisis and the need to reduce carbon emissions, it may look to replace the role of fossil fuels in its electricity grid with another controversial energy source — nuclear.

Calgary-based company Energy Alberta, which was involved in a previous attempt to bring nuclear power to the province, has been quietly working on a new proposal since late last year, including meeting with Premier Danielle Smith and other officials.

Scott Henuset, president and CEO of Energy Alberta, told CBC News that the project details are still being finalized, but that the company's plan is to build a nuclear power plant with two — and eventually as many as five — Candu reactors in Alberta's Peace Region, about 400 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.

A specific site has not yet been chosen, and the company is evaluating multiple locations about 25 kilometres north of the town of Peace River. The reactors would have a lifespan of 60 to 70 years, and the total power plant would be licensed for a maximum output of 4,800 megawatts. (Alberta's largest natural gas-fired power plant, the Genesee Generating Station, can produce about 1,300 megawatts.)

Since learning of the project, five local jurisdictions in the region have created a joint committee to advocate for nuclear power.

"If it's going to land somewhere in Alberta, our feeling is, why not land in our region where we would benefit from the economic side of it?" said Terry Ungarian, reeve of the County of Northern Lights and chair of the regional energy committee.

Peace Region residents may be having nuclear déjà vu.

The founders of Energy Alberta, Wayne Henuset and Hank Swartout, proposed a nuclear power plant in the region in 2009 before selling the company and proposal to Bruce Power, which operates the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Ontario.

"We put in our site preparation licence to the [Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission], at which time we kind of hit the radar of the other nuclear players in Canada," said Scott Henuset, whose father is Wayne Henuset.

"Bruce Power came knocking on our door and said, 'Who are you guys and what are you doing in our business? Here's a cheque, please go away.'"

Bruce Power cancelled the project in 2011.

The Henusets began pursuing nuclear power again in September 2023, once again under the Energy Alberta moniker.

"Whether you believe in the climate crisis or not, we're in it and we feel that Alberta needs clean energy," Scott Henuset said in an interview.

Choosing to locate the nuclear power plant in northern Alberta was no coincidence.