Floating Nuclear Reactor Project Set for 2030 Debut in Canada
Westinghouse has partnered with Canadian firm Prodigy Clean Energy to develop a transportable nuclear power plant (TNPP) featuring an eVinci microreactor. The ambitious project aims to launch its first venture in Canada by 2030.
The TNPP will integrate one or more 5-MWe eVinci microreactors into a Prodigy Microreactor Power Station, a specialized floating facility likely situated along shorelines. It’s designed to be pre-fabricated and easily transported to various locations, providing dependable power and heat to remote areas, data centers, defense installations, and islands.
Prodigy Clean Energy is entering the global floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) market, a sector that has gained traction recently due to the global need for new nuclear capacity. FNPPs, traditionally used in naval and icebreaker applications, are now seen as a solution for powering remote and off-grid areas, supporting renewable energy grids, and supplying energy-intensive industries. The Akademik Lomonosov in Russia is currently the only operational purpose-built FNPP, but several other designs are in advanced stages of development.
Prodigy’s approach uniquely combines nuclear, maritime, and transport industry expertise to create a standardized, scalable, and fully transportable nuclear power plant system. The company is focusing on two main programs: the Microreactor Power Station and the Grid-Scale Station. Prodigy has already partnered with NuScale Power for a grid-scale marine TNPP project and is working with Kinectrics for nuclear safety analysis.
The eVinci microreactor, a Westinghouse design introduced in 2017, is a fully passive, heat pipe–cooled system using TRISO fuel and alkali metal heat pipe technology. It operates without water and can run for over eight years without refueling. The Saskatchewan Research Council in Canada plans to pilot an eVinci microreactor by 2029, subject to regulatory approvals.
Related: Canada Adds Nuclear Energy to Green Bond Framework
The development and deployment of FNPPs pose complex challenges, including regulatory and legal hurdles. Companies like Danish firm Seaborg are exploring innovative solutions like the Compact Molten Salt Reactor power barge. Meanwhile, Russia continues to advance in the FNPP sector with its Optimized Floating Power Units and the RITM-200M reactors.
Information for this story was found via Westinghouse, Power, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
