Canada’s national nuclear laboratory prioritizes support as new nuclear era in Canada begins
CANADIAN NUCLEAR LABORATORIES TRANSITIONS CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM TO SUPPORT GROWING MOMENTUM IN DOMESTIC NUCLEAR POWER INDUSTRY
CHALK RIVER, Ontario, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is announcing adjustments to its clean energy research programs. As of July 2026, CNL has closed its Invitation for Clean Energy Projects program and the Canadian Nuclear Research Initiative (CNRI). Both programs were aimed at leveraging the facilities and capabilities at CNL-managed sites to advance clean energy projects.
Closing these programs is necessary to allow CNL to prioritize its programming and focus its capabilities around the current and anticipated rise in new nuclear projects that are poised to begin across the country, as Canada increasingly adopts nuclear energy to meet surging energy demand, achieving net-zero climate goals by 2050, and building energy sovereignty. CNL is playing an important role in advancing microreactor technologies for off-grid and remote applications, with multiple, targeted, initiatives underway for federal partners.
The Government of Canada has been clear that nuclear will play a major role in the future Canadian energy landscape, recently announcing the development of a national nuclear strategy, and new initiatives to explore the potential of micro-reactors. Major projects underway include Ontario Power Generation’s construction of four grid-scale small modular reactors (SMRs) at Darlington, planned refurbishment of reactors at Pickering, and potential new facilities in Port Hope. Additional developments include new large-scale reactors proposed at Bruce Power and nuclear deployment initiatives in New Brunswick, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
The Invitation for Clean Energy Projects program was launched in 2018 (originally titled as Invitation for SMR Demonstration Projects) to encourage clean energy demonstrations on CNL-managed sites. The projects initially proposed at both the Chalk River Laboratories and Whiteshell Laboratories are no longer active as part of the CNL process.
The Canadian Nuclear Research Initiative (CNRI) was launched in 2019 and served as a collaborative cost-shared program. The initiative supported over a dozen international projects across a range of technical disciplines, enabling technology developers to access the deep capabilities and expertise of the national laboratories. While the formal program is closing, CNL remains open to similar collaborations on a case-by-case basis.
“The momentum we are seeing in nuclear energy, both in Canada and globally, signals a transformative opportunity for clean, reliable power,” commented Dr. Monica Regalbuto, CNL’s Vice-President of Science and Technology. “CNL is well positioned to help lead this next chapter – but to do so, we must diligently focus our expertise and resources where they can have the greatest impact—supporting new nuclear projects, advancing innovative technologies, and strengthening Canada’s leadership in the global energy transition.”
CNL is already and rapidly responding to the Nuclear Energy Strategy, realigning resources and programming to accelerate progress in key areas including heavy water production to support CANDU markets, microreactor research and development activities, science to sustain the current reactor fleet, and assessment work to understand Canada’s future needs in nuclear research capabilities. These adjustments, in conjunction with the $2.2 billion capital investment announced by AECL on behalf of the Government of Canada to modernize the Chalk River Laboratories campus, strengthen Canada’s leadership in nuclear science and technology, ensuring that the resources and capabilities of the national laboratories stand ready to support the needs of the country today and into the future.
To learn more about CNL, including its clean energy programs, please visit www.cnl.ca.
About CNL
As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.
By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.
To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.
CNL Contact:
Philip Kompass
Director, Corporate Communications
1-866-886-2325
[email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a62e2d0b-1e64-412b-8d9b-5467833d34c3
