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BWXT's BANR microreactor picked for an Indigenous-owned pilot plant in New Brunswick
BWX Technologies said Prodigy Clean Energy and two First Nations chose its BANR microreactor for a transportable nuclear power plant in Belledune, New Brunswick. The pilot would be Indigenous-owned and could reach up to 50 MWe at full scale. BWXT Canada will fabricate the reactors mainly at its Ontario facilities, with a target of in-service operation in the early 2030s.
- The BANR is a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor producing 75 MWt, or 22 MWe, using TRISO fuel with high-assay low-enriched uranium.
- The BANR installation is targeted at about 18 months; the New Brunswick government has signed a letter of intent to buy the electricity.
- Still pending: a definitive agreement between BWXT and Prodigy on development, licensing, financing and deployment; no price was given.
- The release warns of risks including project modification or termination and delays.