Ready4SMR
The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries launched its Ready4SMR program in 2022 under one of its actions in the Canada SMR Action Plan (Canada’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Action Plan (smractionplan.ca) This program will assist companies in their efforts to becoming qualified to supply goods and services to the future SMR supply chain. With the financial support of ACOA, Phase 1 of this effort has begun in NB.
In this first phase, OCNI’s Regional Project Manager, with support from ONB, will develop a deeper understanding of the supply chain within NB. Last fall’s survey was just the start. This survey identified some high-level information about the ecosystem in the province, and confirmed the interest expressed by companies based in NB. In the coming weeks and months, Dr André Pelletier, OCNI’s Ready4SMR RPM for NB, will visit interested companies to discuss current operational states, general concepts for business growth, and how these can be leveraged to enter nuclear supply chains.
OCNI is also working with the Saskatchewan Industrial Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA) and First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) to deliver Ready4SMR programming in Saskatchewan. Through this program, OCNI will visit companies that are interested in learning more about the nuclear industry and then develop a transition plan for that company to sell its products or services in the nuclear industry. This program is partly funded by Saskatchewan’s Crown Investment Corporation and Prairies Economic Development Canada. Dr. Matei will lead the interaction with local companies and help develop and deliver relevant programming.
The program will also host and support local events, webinars, hybrid seminars and workshops to grow awareness about the SMR and nuclear supply chain opportunities broadly as well as networking opportunities, and to offer specific education around quality control, advanced manufacturing technologies, and ways to integrate these systems into business operations.
