The partners will work together throughout the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium supply, reactor design, construction, operation and decommissioning, adaptation of designs to use alternative and advanced fuel cycles, among others.
The MOU will facilitate collaboration between laboratories and university research networks in the two countries and help Canada tap the UK nuclear energy market.
Through an annual work plan, the nuclear energy stakeholders will collaborate on various aspects of the projects. NRCan and DECC will be able to exchange policy related information.
Canada Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford said: "We are creating opportunities for job creation and economic growth in Canada’s nuclear sector by opening new avenues for collaboration with the UK."
The UK currently meets 18% of its electricity needs through 16 nuclear reactors. By 2023, expect one all of these power plants are likely to be retired.
The country has set a target to generate 16,000MW by 2030, and plans to construct at least 12 new nuclear power plants to meet the demand.
Nuclear energy is identified as an essential low-carbon emitting technology by the UK to help meet its CO2 emissions targets.
Image: UK identified nuclear power an essential low-carbon emitting technology to meet CO2 emissions targets. Photo: courtesy of xedos4 / Freedigitalphotos.net.
