Mining Technology

Prodigy and Des Nëdhé partner for microreactor deployment in Canada

The reactors could improve indigenous people’s access to electricity.

Prodigy Clean Energy and Des Nëdhé Group have announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore using Prodigy microreactor Transportable Nuclear Power Plants (TNPPs) to power remote mines and communities in Canada.

Under the MOU, Prodigy and Des Nëdhé will look to use TNPP projects to help the indigenous community, engaging with First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada to identify ways through which each group could have ownership in TNPP new builds.

According to Prodigy, the TNPPs can be manufactured, outfitted and partially commissioned in a shipyard, then transported to either a land or shoreside setting for installation. It claims the new technology is much easier to build than small modular reactors and leaves no waste as a TNPP could be removed for decommissioning after use.

Electricity generated by TNPPs could be used to power industrial activity in remote locations such as critical mineral mines.

Mathias Trojer, president and CEO of Prodigy, said: “Prodigy’s microreactor TNPP offers a near-term solution to transition remote locations off of diesel. Meeting indigenous peoples’ requirements for TNPP design and energy delivery, and ensuring maximal participation of indigenous groups as part of our technology development and commercialisation programmes, are cornerstone to our success. We are privileged to partner with Des Nëdhé to put these objectives into action.”

Sean Willy, CEO of Des Nëdhé Group, said: “Ensuring a secure, carbon-free, and affordable electricity and heat supply for all of Canada is crucial, and SMRs [small modular reactors] will play a significant role. Des Nëdhé is proud to partner with Prodigy, as their TNPP technologies address many of the upfront concerns that indigenous groups have when considering a potential SMR project.

"This includes minimising the environmental impact and reducing the project life cycle complexity and cost, when compared to a traditional site-constructed SMR. The end use opportunity for TNPPs across remote industrial and residential power in Canada is very significant.”