BWXT's BANR Microreactor Selected for Indigenous-Owned Transportable Nuclear Power Plant in New Brunswick
BWX Technologies' BANR microreactor has been chosen for a pilot Transportable Nuclear Power Plant project in Belledune, New Brunswick. The Indigenous-owned initiative, led by Prodigy Clean Energy and two First Nations partners, targets operation by the early 2030s and aims to create a blueprint for deploying transportable nuclear plants across Canada's North and global markets.
BWX Technologies (BWXT) announced that its BANR microreactor technology has been selected for a Transportable Nuclear Power Plant (TNPP) project in Belledune, New Brunswick. The initiative is being developed by Prodigy Clean Energy, Ltd., Pabineau First Nation, and Eel River Bar First Nation.
The pilot project will be Indigenous-owned and targets in-service operation by the early 2030s. It is intended to validate plant logistics and operational requirements while creating a commercial blueprint to mass deploy a TNPP fleet across Canada’s North and global export markets. The Government of New Brunswick has signed a Letter of Intent to off-take the electricity generated by the plant.
The BANR reactor is a high-temperature gas-cooled design intended to produce 75 megawatts thermal, or 22 MWe. It uses high-assay low-enriched uranium in a TRISO fuel form and features passive cooling. Prodigy’s TNPP architecture allows for factory-built reactors that can be shipped and installed in about 18 months after factory assembly.
Two BANR units and balance of plant systems will be principally fabricated at BWXT’s facilities in Ontario. BWXT Canada Ltd. and Kinectrics Inc. will deploy a skilled Canadian workforce to support the project, utilizing Canadian nuclear expertise and scaling up the workforce from CANDU refurbishment projects.
Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce welcomed the announcement, citing Ontario's 60-year history in building a nuclear industry. The project is expected to expand BWXT’s horizons for future customers, reinforce Canada’s role in advanced nuclear energy solutions, support clean energy innovation, and potentially reduce carbon-emitting sources in remote areas.