Sunday, 13 October 2024
Home AtkinsRéalis and AECL enter into Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate and expand intellectual property agreement, accelerating development of CANDU® MONARK™ reactor

The following content is a news release issued by and distributed by . The original news release may be found here.

AtkinsRéalis and AECL enter into Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate and expand intellectual property agreement, accelerating development of CANDU® MONARK™ reactor

MONTREAL, Feb. 22, 2024 /CNW/ - AtkinsRéalis [SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.] (TSX: ATRL) and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited ("AECL"), a federal Crown corporation, are pleased to announce they have entered into a MOU to collaborate for the purpose of successfully deploying CANDU® reactors in Canada and internationally and to expand their intellectual property licensing agreement (IPLA) given the importance of CANDU® technology's role in helping Canada reach its net zero objectives.

The collaboration and licensing agreements to follow this MOU will accelerate the development of CANDU reactor technology, including the previously announced CANDU MONARK™ reactor, at a critical time during the energy transition. When the IPLA was initially signed in 2011, transitioning to a low-carbon world was not a consideration; as expanded, the agreement will reflect the changing priorities and the organizations' belief in the role that CANDU technology will play in decarbonizing Canada and the world.

"I would like to extend my appreciation to AECL for their ongoing collaboration. The MOU underscores our mutual interest in advancing the CANDU technology suite of reactors," commented Ian L. Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, AtkinsRéalis. "We're committed to continuing the work we've undertaken for over a decade— successfully refurbishing, servicing, and developing CANDU technology in Canada and abroad to meet the growing low-carbon energy needs here and abroad—while enabling Canada to maintain its status as a Tier-1 nuclear nation."

"Made-in-Canada CANDU technology is a national and strategic asset that has provided reliable, non-emitting power and high-quality jobs to communities across Canada for decades," said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. "As the world moves to build a more prosperous and sustainable economy, we must use every tool in the toolbox to achieve our clean growth goals, reduce emissions and mitigate climate change. Canada's expertise will ensure that we remain a safe and reliable partner for the peaceful use of nuclear energy throughout the global energy transition while also supporting significant economic opportunities for workers."

"I am pleased that AECL and AtkinsRéalis are collaborating and working together to advance CANDU reactor technology; particularly one that recognizes the tremendous opportunity and need for CANDU to uniquely contribute to important national objectives such as decarbonization, energy security, economic growth and maintaining Canada's Tier-1 nuclear nation status," said Fred Dermarkar, President & Chief Executive Officer of AECL. "We believe this path can position CANDU reactor technology, developed in Canada by Canadians, to remain a viable reactor product offering at home and abroad."  

As the vast majority of CANDU components, fuel and services are sourced domestically and more than 85 per cent of a CANDU reactor's equipment and parts can be supplied by Canadian manufacturers, this offers compounded economic benefits to stakeholders across the country. In fact, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer and proud steward of CANDU technology, AtkinsRéalis partners with a nationwide nuclear supply chain of more than 250 companies that employ 76,000 people and provides CANDU fuel, components, services and tooling.

"We will collaborate with AECL, the Canadian nuclear supply chain partners and our customers to complete the CANDU MONARK design for domestic and international deployment," said Joe St. Julian, President, Nuclear, AtkinsRéalis. "CANDU technology is the only home-grown Canadian power reactor technology; it competes successfully on a global stage, providing energy security, creating export opportunities and thousands of well-paying, highly skilled jobs, while also supporting the local supply chain and creating economic value to Canada. The deployment of the CANDU MONARK will provide safe, carbon free, base load power to the country and the world."

About AtkinsRéalis

Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in key strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear, Operations & Maintenance and Capital. News and information are available at www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on LinkedIn. 

About AtkinsRéalis' Nuclear Business

AtkinsRéalis has over 70 years' of global nuclear expertise, delivering nuclear technology products and full-service solutions to nuclear utilities around the world. AtkinsRéalis is the steward of CANDU® nuclear technology, operating on four continents, and provides advisory and engineering services to other nuclear developers. With an innovative technology portfolio, including access to over 500 patented solutions, AtkinsRéalis solves technically complex challenges across the whole nuclear lifecycle from design and new build through asset management and from life extension and late life management through decommissioning and waste management. AtkinsRéalis operates and manages government nuclear research sites, transforming ageing infrastructure and safely managing legacy nuclear waste. AtkinsRéalis is also involved in developing medical radioisotopes for cancer research through its partnership with TerraPower. Read more on our Nuclear market page.

About Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to drive nuclear opportunities for Canada. Working through a government-owned / contractor-operated (GoCo) model that is executed by its contractor, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, AECL enables nuclear science and technology through its Chalk River Laboratories, Canada's largest research complex, and by engaging with academia and private industry to advance nuclear innovation. It is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It also manages the Government of Canada'sradioactive waste responsibilities. AECL continues to own the intellectual property for the CANDU® reactor technology and is accountable for deriving optimal benefit from this technology for Canada. Read more on AECL at www.aecl.ca

SOURCE AtkinsRéalis

For further information: Media: Harold Fortin, Senior Director, Global External Communications, media@atkinsrealis.com; Investors: Denis Jasmin, Vice President, Investor Relations, 514-393-8000, ext. 57553 , denis.jasmin@atkinsrealis.com...

Read the full news release here

Related Articles

AnalysisBiofuelsCarbon ManagementEmissionsEnvironmentResiliency

Meet the microbes that transform toxic carbon monoxide into valuable biofuel

Microbes can turn waste, like carbon monoxide, into biofuels, offering a green...

AnalysisBiofuelsElectricityResiliencySolar

The renewable energy hidden in our wastewater ponds – here’s how it could work

New Zealand can meet energy and emissions goals by integrating biogas, floating...

The COP29 climate summit will take place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan (AFP)
ClimateEmissionsEnvironmentPoliticsUnited Nations

Little progress at key meet ahead of COP29 climate summit

Key pre-COP29 meeting ends with little progress on funding a new climate...

F1 is looking at a multitude of solutions and innovations to decarbonise, its head of ESG Ellen Jones has said (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Emissions

‘No silver bullet’ for decarbonising Formula One, ESG boss says

F1 aims for net zero by 2030, cutting 50 per cent of...

Login into your Account

Please login to like, dislike or bookmark this article.