X-Energy Canada and Invest Alberta Corporation (IAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) supporting the potential deployment of the Xe-100 small modular reactor (SMR) in Alberta.
The MOU is non-binding and non-exclusive. X-energy Canada, a subsidiary of X-Energy Reactor Company, estimates that constructing a four-unit plant in Alberta would create up to 3,800 full-time direct and indirect jobs in Canada, mostly located in Alberta.
“X-energy is ready to support Alberta’s critical energy, chemical and mining industries to affordably achieve the carbon emissions reductions needed, both on and off the grid,” said X-energy Canada President Katherine Moshonas Cole. “A successful early deployment of our Xe-100 SMR technology in Alberta will better position the province to seize the economic opportunities that our technology brings.”
The Xe-100 is a high temperature gas-cooled reactor. Facilities will be scalable to meet demand, with one unit generating up to 80 MWe from 200 MWt. They are designed for high reliability and 95% availability and can directly support heavy industry, including oil sands operations, and petrochemical and other industrial processes.
Joint efforts will include the identification of supply chain opportunities, engagement with local and provincial governments, and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities interested in equity participation. IAC will also support X-energy’s efforts to establish a divisional office to help advance these local efforts.
IAC was established as a crown corporation of the Government of Alberta and promotes Alberta as an investment destination of choice to investors internationally. The organisation works to break down barriers so innovative businesses, such as X-energy, can start up and scale up. IAC CEO Rick Christiaanse noted: “X-energy Canada’s interest in expanding its presence in Alberta represents progress toward the transition to a diversified lower carbon economy.”
The Government of Alberta is one of four provinces participating in the Strategic Plan for the Deployment of SMRs, which maps out the path forward to capitalise on the benefits of adopting advanced reactors, including the Xe-100. X-energy Canada is a committed participant in Canada’s SMR action plan.
In December, X-energy Canada and the Building Trades of Alberta signed an MOU to help prepare the province’s future SMR workforce. Also in 2022, X-energy Canada and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced a collaboration to pursue opportunities to deploy Xe-100 advanced reactors in Ontario at industrial sites and identify further opportunities throughout Canada.
In the press release announcing the MOU, X-Energy warns about forward-looking statements. “X-energy’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections (which, in part, are based on certain assumptions) and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events.” It says, actual results may differ materially from the expected results and lists 17 factors that may cause such differences, noting that the list “is not exhaustive”.
