Canada's Nuclear Laboratories Adjusts Clean Energy Program to Support Deployment of New Nuclear Projects in Canada

On September 10, 2026, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) announced an adjustment to its clean energy research program arrangements in order to direct more resources toward new nuclear projects currently under way and planned in Canada.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories stated that, as of July 2026, it had terminated the “Clean Energy Program Invitation” and the “Canadian Nuclear Research Initiative” (CNRI). These two programs had previously been intended to leverage facilities and technical capabilities managed by CNL to support research, development, and demonstration of clean energy-related projects. CNL said the adjustment was made to optimize program priorities and concentrate efforts on supporting Canada's current and anticipated new nuclear energy projects.

Canada is accelerating the integration of nuclear energy into its energy system construction to meet growing electricity demand, serve the 2050 net-zero emissions target, and enhance energy autonomy. CNL stated that it is carrying out a number of targeted efforts for federal partners, including supporting research and development of microreactor technology for off-grid and remote applications.

Currently, nuclear energy projects under way in Canada include: Ontario Power Generation's construction of 4 grid-connected small modular reactors (SMRs) at Darlington, the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station refurbishment program, and potential new facility construction at Port Hope. Other projects also include Bruce Power's proposed large reactor, as well as nuclear energy deployment plans in New Brunswick, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

The “Clean Energy Program Invitation” was launched in 2018, initially named the “Small Modular Reactor Demonstration Program Invitation,” with the goal of advancing clean energy demonstration projects at CNL-managed sites. Related projects previously proposed at Chalk River Laboratories and Whiteshell Laboratories are no longer being pursued as part of CNL's process.

CNRI was launched in 2019 and is a collaborative cost-sharing program. The program supported more than a dozen international projects covering different technology areas, enabling technology developers to leverage the facility capabilities and expertise of Canada's national laboratory system. CNL stated that although the program has ended, it will still consider similar collaborations on a case-by-case basis.

Monica Regalbuto, Vice President of Science and Technology at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, stated that the momentum of nuclear energy development in Canada and globally brings opportunities for a clean, reliable energy transition. She said CNL needs to concentrate its expertise and resources in the areas where they can have the greatest impact, including supporting new nuclear energy projects, advancing innovative technologies, and strengthening Canada's position in the global energy transition.

CNL also stated that it has adjusted resource allocation and project planning in accordance with Canada's nuclear energy strategy to accelerate progress in key areas such as heavy water production, microreactor research and development, research supporting long-term operation of existing reactors, and assessment of future nuclear research capability needs. Among these, heavy water production will serve the CANDU reactor market.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) previously announced on behalf of the Government of Canada that it would invest 2.2 billion Canadian dollars in the modernization of the Chalk River Laboratories campus. CNL believes that this capital investment, combined with this program adjustment, will help enhance the capabilities of Canada's national laboratory system and support the development of Canada's nuclear science and technology.