Study of Potential Water Impacts of Nuclear Power Development in Alberta

With funding and support from Alberta Innovates, Emissions Reduction Alberta, Energy Alberta, Capital Power, Ontario Power Generation, the Government of Alberta, and other partners, Hazen Canada has prepared a report examining the potential water impacts of nuclear power development in Alberta.

This work builds upon Hazen Canada’s previous studies of the potential water impacts of hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization, and storage development and is motivated by growing interest in conventional nuclear reactors and small modular reactors as potential sources of electricity and industrial steam in Alberta. The study highlights the important role that siting, reactor technology, cooling system selection, and regional and seasonal water availability can play in determining a nuclear facility’s water requirements. While some Alberta river basins appear capable of supporting the development scenarios assessed, nuclear projects in areas with lower water availability, seasonal constraints, or limited remaining allocation capacity may require lower-water-use cooling technologies, alternative water sources, storage, reuse, or other water-management strategies.

The report is intended to support the evolving conversation around nuclear power development in Alberta.