Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good evening. My name is Brett Plummer. I am vice-president nuclear and chief nuclear officer at New Brunswick Power. Thank you for the invitation to provide information regarding how small modular reactor technology can help achieve Canada's climate change objectives and add to its economic resiliency.
As background, New Brunswick Power and the Province of New Brunswick were involved in the development of the pan-Canadian small modular reactor road map and action plan. Leveraging New Brunswick's 40 years of nuclear experience, we are actively working with other provinces, utilities and organizations, such as Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta, Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, SaskPower and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories for the pan-Canadian development and deployment of small modular reactors.
Canada will not achieve net zero by 2050 without nuclear. Many studies from reliable organizations support this conclusion. Renewables and hydro alone will not get Canada to net zero without an increase in nuclear power. Small modular reactor technology is an important technology that the federal government should be aggressively pursuing and supporting.
Small modular reactor technology will be part of the massive electrification of Canadian society in developing clean fuels and supporting clean manufacturing, clean transportation and clean heat while we retire coal and other carbon fuels.
Advanced small modular reactors integrate with renewables, and we will need all the clean energy generation we can build to support the 2050 decarbonization goals. Advanced small modular reactors are critical to support intermittent renewable energy sources when the sun does not shine and the wind does not blow. Advanced small modular reactors being developed in New Brunswick will have a high temperature output and can be used for cogeneration to play a major role in decarbonizing heavy industries, such as in western Canada.
Canada can broaden the nuclear supply chain to build new opportunities in eastern and western Canada. Modular construction methods, as well as advanced manufacturing methods, will also be developed to expand the economic impact across the country with first nations.
By virtue of Canada's being an early mover in the development and deployment of SMR technologies, the larger market opportunities beyond Canada to assist with global efforts to decarbonize are opened up. This current opportunity could be lost if SMRs are not supported. Canada can prosper economically by developing the IP and manufacturing capability in Canada, representing a significant contribution to combatting global climate change while building an economic benefit for Canada. We need a government to streamline policies to support the large-scale buildup of nuclear and to provide financial guarantees and backstops.
Thank you for your interest. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.