Nucleon Energy today announced the formation of Nucleon Fuel, a new subsidiary focused on the development, licensing, and operation of modern uranium conversion facilities in North America.
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Written by William Bridge, Chief Technology Officer at Nucleon Energy
Every major energy technology follows the same arc, whether its champions realize it at the time or not. Early versions are expensive, awkward, and misunderstood. Critics point to costs and declare the whole idea impractical.
Then, something quietly but decisively changes. Scale arrives, learning compounds, and costs fall. Performance improves. The technology moves onto the steep part of the S-curve—and suddenly yesterday’s impossibility becomes today’s obvious choice.
Coal did this first. Early coal power was dirty, inefficient, and localized. Standardized boilers, rail logistics, and scale turned it into the backbone of industrial civilization. Natural gas followed. Early gas plants were niche and costly, but combined-cycle turbines and global LNG infrastructure made gas cheap, flexible, and wildly profitable. Wind and solar repeated the pattern more recently. Both were once dismissed as boutique solutions that would never compete with “real” baseload power.
The historical record is blunt about how wrong that skepticism was.
In the early 2000s, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology was widely regarded as expensive and still in the early stages of deployment, often relying on policy support and incentives to grow beyond niche markets. At that time, wholesale module prices hovered around $3.50–$4.00 per watt—far higher than typical fossil fuel generation costs and grid parity thresholds and installations were often supported by subsidies to make projects financially viable. Analysts and industry observers regularly noted that PV remained much more costly than conventional generation and that large-scale deployment depended on continued cost declines and supportive policy frameworks. Between 1981 and 2000, global solar capacity expanded relatively slowly and while growth was significant, it did not resemble the explosive scale-ups seen after 2010.
Once manufacturing scaled, global capacity multiplied rapidly and module prices collapsed—falling roughly 90% between 2010 and 2023 as cumulative production increased, supply chains matured, and learning effects kicked in. Today, utility-scale solar PV often produces some of the lowest-cost electricity in the world, a shift driven not by a change in physics, but by economics and industrialization following a classic S-curve.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are now sitting at the same inflection point solar occupied in the early 2000s.
For decades, nuclear energy lived on the wrong side of the curve. Custom-built gigawatt plants, site-specific engineering, long construction timelines, and regulatory uncertainty created a cost structure that punished capital and rewarded delay. Traditional nuclear never benefited from repetition or true industrialization. Each plant was effectively a bespoke megaproject.
SMRs invert that model.
They are smaller, standardized, factory-manufactured, and designed for repeat deployment. That matters more than any single technical feature. Cost declines do not come primarily from clever physics. They come from doing the same thing over and over again, learning each time, and spreading fixed costs across volume. This is the same mechanism that transformed gas turbines, wind towers, and solar modules from novelties into infrastructure.
The early SMR projects are expensive for the same reason early solar was expensive: first-of-a-kind engineering, immature supply chains, conservative financing, and regulatory processes designed for a different era. None of those are permanent conditions. All of them improve with deployment.
Once production shifts from construction sites to factories, once regulators license designs rather than one-off plants, and once operators can point to fleets instead of prototypes, the curve steepens. Then, capital costs fall, build times compress, risk premiums shrink, and returns improve.
This is why the question is no longer whether SMRs will become cost-effective, but when they cross the threshold that solar crossed a decade ago—when the debate quietly ends because the numbers speak for themselves.
History is unkind to people who declare that a technology “will never be economic.” Those statements age poorly because they mistake a moment on the curve for the destination. Energy transitions are not ideological arguments; they are industrial processes governed by scale, learning, and time.
SMRs are not exempt from that logic. They are finally aligned with it.
The S-curve comes for everyone. Nuclear included.
What Communities Should Know When Nuclear SMR Siting Is Being Explored In Their Area
Written by Ryan Tourigny, Chief Development Officer at Nucleon Energy
When conversations about energy happen at a national or regional level, they can feel distant and abstract. But when a potential project enters a community, the questions become much more personal.
For communities, exploring the siting of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) is not just an infrastructure discussion. It raises practical questions about land and water, safety and stewardship, employment and economic opportunity, and what a decision today could mean decades, or even a century, into the future. These are reasonable questions, and they deserve clear, accurate information.
SMRs are often discussed in technical or policy terms. The purpose of this article is to provide a straightforward, community-level overview of what SMRs are, why communities may be asked to consider them, the unique benefits projects can offer, and the kinds of concerns and potential impacts that are commonly evaluated along the way.
Intended Audience: Community members who have heard about siting engagement in their community and have low-to-no understanding at this time of what an SMR is and how it will impact their community. They are doing initial research to learn more—perhaps prior to, or following, a community engagement session.
What are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?
Small Modular Reactors, or SMRs, are a newer class of nuclear energy technology designed to produce electricity on a smaller scale than traditional nuclear power plants.
While conventional reactors are large, custom-built facilities designed to generate very high levels of power, SMRs are more compact and modular in design, meaning their components can be manufactured in a factory setting, with high quality and predictability, to be combined with other components on site.
This difference in scale and design leads to several practical distinctions. SMRs are intended to be easier to site, quicker to deploy, and more flexible in how they are used within an energy system. Modern designs also incorporate passive safety features, based on inherent features like gravity and natural circulation, rather than active systems with constant human intervention.
Importantly, SMRs are still subject to rigorous regulatory oversight and long-term planning, similar to other nuclear facilities, but are designed with a different approach to size, construction, and operation than traditional reactors. Given the repeatability of factory-made reactor designs, costs are expected to decrease each time a facility is deployed.
Reactor sizing comparison study, conducted by Nucleon Energy. Read full copy here.
At their core, SMRs are built for flexibility, efficiency and repeatability:
- Compact & modular by design
- Factory-built precision
- Faster deployment
- Passive safety systems
- Scalable & repeatable
Why Communities Are Being Asked to Consider SMRs
Across many regions, electricity systems are under increasing pressure. Demand for power continues to rise as populations grow, industries expand and more services depend on reliable electricity.
At the same time, governments and utilities are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining affordability and system stability. Balancing these priorities has become a central challenge in long-term energy planning.
In response, a range of energy options are being evaluated for their ability to provide dependable, low-emissions power over decades. This includes nuclear energy.
For some regions, this broader planning exercise leads to early conversations with communities about potential SMR siting.These discussions typically focus on whether a project could be compatible with local land use, existing infrastructure, workforce capacity, and community priorities.
Being asked to explore SMR siting does not indicate that a decision has been made. Rather, it reflects an early-stage effort to understand whether a proposed approach aligns with the realities and values of the people who would live alongside it.
Common Questions & Concerns Communities Consider
When communities are invited into early discussions about potential SMR siting, the questions that surface are often practical, values-based and rooted in long-term stewardship and responsibility.
These conversations are shaped not only by technical considerations, but also by history, lived experience, and the understanding that energy infrastructure decisions can influence a community for generations.
Community concerns tend to fall into a few key areas, including:
Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- Safety is often the first topic communities raise.
- People want to understand how risks are managed, what safeguards are in place and how systems are designed to respond if something does not go as planned.
- These questions are reasonable, particularly given the legacy of large, older generation nuclear facilities and the way nuclear incidents are often portrayed in public discourse.
- Communities also want clarity on how emergency planning would work in practice and what roles local authorities would play.
Land, Water, & Environmental Protection
- Questions about land use and environmental impact are central to siting discussions. Communities want to know how a project could affect local ecosystems, water sources, wildlife, and surrounding land.
- For Indigenous communities, these considerations are often inseparable from stewardship responsibilities and the protection of territories that hold cultural, ecological and generational significance. Environmental impacts are not viewed in isolation, but as part of a broader relationship with the land.
- Fortunately, SMRs are smaller than traditional large reactors, enabling their electricity systems be water cooled, air cooled or a hybrid of both, whereas large reactors tend to place huge ongoing demands on local water resources.
Trust, Governance, & Accountability
- Beyond technical questions, communities frequently ask who is responsible for decision-making and oversight over the full life of a project. This includes how approvals are granted, how compliance is monitored, and how accountability is maintained over decades.
- In many cases, these concerns are informed by past infrastructure developments where local voices were limited or excluded. As a result, transparency and clearly defined governance roles are often seen as essential, not optional.
Long-Term Responsibility & Legacy
- SMRs, like other nuclear facilities, are designed to operate for many decades.
- Communities understandably want to know how long-term responsibilities are managed, including waste handling, decommissioning, and post-operation monitoring.
- International frameworks developed by organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency outline standards for nuclear safety, waste management, and decommissioning.
- Even so, communities often seek clarity on how these frameworks translate into local plans, long-term funding, and sustained oversight.
Taken together, these questions reflect that communities are not simply evaluating a technology. They are considering how a long-term project could intersect with their land, governance structures and responsibilities to future generations.
Potential Community-Level Benefits of an SMR
When communities consider whether an energy project could be a fit, benefits are typically examined alongside risks, responsibilities and long-term implications. These are not guarantees or outcomes, but factors communities often assess as part of a broader evaluation process.
Rendering of the ARC100 Advanced Small Modular Reactor by ARC Clean Technology.
CO2 emissions avoided by nuclear by country or region, 1971-2022. Source: International Energy Agency.
For communities considering long-term infrastructure, these emissions characteristics are often examined in the context of climate commitments and intergenerational responsibility.
1) Reliable Power For Essential Services
- Reliable electricity underpins many aspects of daily life, from hospitals and emergency services to schools, water treatment facilities, and local businesses. In regions where power systems face growing demand or increasing variability, communities may examine how different energy options contribute to long-term security of supply.
- For example, in Ontario, Canada – where electricity demand is expected to soar 75% by 2050—the province has begun construction on a small modular reactor at the Darlington New Nuclear Project. When connected to the grid (anticipated around 2030), this reactor is expected to supply enough electricity for approximately 300,000 homes, illustrating how SMRs can contribute to reliable, long-term power in practice.
- SMRs are designed to provide steady, continuous electricity over long operating periods.
- Because nuclear fuel is the most energy-dense, nuclear generation is often evaluated for its ability to deliver consistent output independent of weather conditions or short-term fuel price fluctuations. In fact, nuclear energy has the highest capacity factor of any other energy source, producing maximum power more than 92% of the time during the year. For comparison, the next highest capacity source is geothermal at just 74%, and the lowest is solar energy at just 25%.
2) Local Employment & Long-Term Jobs
- Employment is another common area of interest. Communities often distinguish between short-term construction activity and long-term operational roles when assessing potential economic impact.
- Analyses from organizations such as the Nuclear Energy Agency indicate that nuclear projects typically support hundreds to thousands of jobs during construction and several hundred permanent positions during operation. Many of these roles are skilled trades and technical positions that tend to offer wages above local averages.
- For some communities, this raises considerations around workforce development, training opportunities, and the ability for residents to build long-term careers locally.
- Multiple studies even see staff in nuclear facilities enjoying longer lives, partly due to regular, ongoing monitoring.
3) Economic Stability & Predictability
- Beyond direct employment, communities may look at how an energy project could influence broader economic stability.
- Research notes that energy systems with stable, fuel-secure generation can help reduce exposure to wholesale electricity price volatility, particularly in regions heavily dependent on fossil fuels or variable renewable sources alone.
- Because SMRs are designed to operate continuously and are refuelled infrequently, they are often assessed for how they might contribute to long-term dependability alongside other generation sources.
- This predictability can be an important factor in long-term planning, even as communities weigh it against other economic and environmental considerations.
4) Low-Carbon Electricity Over The Long Term
- Lifecycle analyses consistently show that nuclear energy has among the lowest greenhouse gas emissions of any electricity source, comparable to wind and significantly lower than fossil fuels.
- Globally, nuclear power has avoided an estimated 70 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions since the early 1970s by displacing coal- and gas-fired generation, according to the International Energy Agency.
The Role Of Community Participation & Engagement
Rendering of the ARC100 Advanced Small Modular Reactor by ARC Clean Technology
When communities are invited into early discussions about potential SMR siting, engagement typically begins well before any formal proposal or regulatory process, possibly before specific sites have been identified.
This early phase is focused on information-sharing and understanding local context, rather than seeking approval or commitment. Communities are generally asked to explore whether a project aligns with local priorities, land use considerations, and long-term goals before decisions advance further.
As discussions continue, engagement often becomes more structured. This may include community or individual stakeholders’ feedback on possible locations. Communities can expect a combination of informal conversations and formal processes, including environmental assessments and regulatory reviews. Participation usually extends over time, reflecting the long planning horizons associated with nuclear infrastructure. For Indigenous communities, engagement also intersects with established governance, rights, and stewardship responsibilities, and follows distinct processes and timelines.
Communities involved in SMR siting discussions may typically encounter:
- Early, exploratory conversations before project sites or plans are finalized
- Opportunities to ask questions and request information at multiple stages
- Formal consultation and assessment processes as proposals advance
- Ongoing engagement through construction, operation, and long-term oversight
Questions Communities May Want To Explore Early
Because no two communities share the same history, priorities, governance structures, or relationships to land, the questions that matter most will differ from one place to another.
When exploring the potential siting of an SMR, communities often find it helpful to identify the issues they want to understand early, before discussions advance or assumptions take hold.
While priorities will vary, communities commonly explore questions such as:
Decision-making and governance
- What authority does the community retain throughout the process, and how are decisions made at each stage?
- How will their level of involvement be assured?
These questions are not intended to lead to a particular conclusion, but they can help your community clarify what matters most and ensure that discussions reflect local context, priorities, and long-term vision.
Ultimately communities need the tools and information to decide what is right for their members.
Land use and siting
- How would a facility fit within existing land use plans, environmental priorities, and community-defined values tied to place?
- What effects does it have for the nearest residents?
Environmental stewardship
- What monitoring would be in place to protect land, water and ecosystems over time, and how would results be shared?
Employment and local participation
- What types of jobs could be created, what skills will be required and how might local training or workforce development be supported?
Long-term responsibility
- How are decommissioning, waste management, and long-term oversight planned and funded?
Ongoing engagement
- What mechanisms exist for continued communication, transparency and community input over the life of a project?
Understanding Before Alignment
Decisions about long-term energy infrastructure carry lasting implications for the communities involved.
When an SMR is being explored, the most important first step is not agreement, but understanding – of the technology, the process, and how a project could intersect with local priorities and responsibilities.
Every community brings its own history, values, and vision for the future to these discussions. Clear information, time for dialogue, and space for questions allow communities to assess what a project could mean in their own context.
Nucleon Energy is a private nuclear developer enabling the real-world deployment of small modular reactors. We believe the communities closest to a project should have a voice in how it is shaped. Through early engagement and ongoing dialogue, we create space for community input to meaningfully inform decisions and outcomes. To stay informed on our active community engagements, visit Nucleon Energy.
Nucleon Energy is pleased to be working with EXCEL Services Corporation in support of the Arkansas Legislature’s Joint Energy Committee as it advances a structured screening of potential sites and…
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Calgary, Alberta — September 25, 2025. Nucleon Energy Inc. (“Nucleon”), a Calgary-based small modular reactor development and operations company focused on Canada and the U.S., and ARC Clean Technology Canada Inc. (“ARC”), a Canadian and U.S.-based nuclear reactor technology company, announced today the formation of a partnership entity named NuARC. The newly formed entity is focused on the development and deployment of affordable, reliable and non-emitting electrical generation facilities using ARC’s advanced small modular reactor technology with an initial focus in Alberta, Canada.
NuARC leverages Canada’s deep ingenuity and skilled workforce to accelerate the delivery of advanced nuclear technology. By combining Nucleon’s development and operational expertise with ARC’s proven Generation IV advanced reactor technology, NuARC is positioned to be a leader in the development and delivery of cost-effective advanced nuclear facilities. This initiative is expected to create new jobs, diversify Canada’s economy, and attract significant foreign investment, strengthening the country’s position as a global leader in clean energy.
NuARC’s mandate is particularly timely as it highlights Canada’s proven nuclear technology and delivery capabilities amid unprecedented global trade tensions. The partnership will leverage Nucleon’s site locations in key areas, including Alberta, where ARC’s advanced reactors can support electricity demand growth, industrial heat requirements, and the production of life-saving medical isotopes.
ARC’s Generation IV reactor technology, the ARC-100, is a 100 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with a modular design that enables rapid, cost-effective deployment and offers a versatile solution for a wide range of electrical grid and industrial applications. Earlier this year, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission completed a Phase 2 Vendor Design Review of the ARC-100 reactor and found no fundamental barriers to licensing.
“Our partnership with ARC Clean Technology marks a major step forward for private-sector nuclear development,” said Dustin Wilkes, CEO of Nucleon Energy Inc. “By combining Nucleon’s project development and operating expertise with ARC’s advanced Generation IV technology, we can accelerate deployment of clean, reliable power while driving economic growth and energy security. Together with ARC, we’re proving that private enterprise can lead the next wave of nuclear development in North America.”
“The formation of NuARC is the culmination of a shared vision to make advanced, non-emitting nuclear energy a cornerstone of the future energy mix,” said Lance Clarke, Vice President of Commercialization and Strategy of ARC Clean Technology. “Our reactor technology is designed for safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The modular design of the ARC-100 allows for streamlined construction, and its ability to deliver industrial heat and medical isotopes unlocks incredible value for communities and industries. We are thrilled to partner with Nucleon to bring this clean energy solution to new markets.”
“Alberta is a land of opportunity,” said Nathan Neudorf, Alberta’s Minister of Affordability and Utilities. “With the creation of the NuARC partnership, we are seeing the enormous private sector investment nuclear energy could potentially bring to our province. There’s momentum to helping our province meet growing energy needs, as well as provide life-saving medical isotopes that can ensure a better, brighter future for all Albertans. We have recently launched our consultation process on nuclear energy and we are eager to hear back from Albertans on the path forward.”
About ARC Clean Technology
ARC Clean Technology Inc. is a clean energy technology company developing the ARC-100, an advanced small modular reactor offering safe, reliable, and economical carbon-free power. Leveraging proven technology from the 30-year performance of its prototype, the ARC-100’s modular design provides 100 megawatts of energy for electricity and industrial applications. ARC is a participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), supporting accelerated SMR development. ARC Clean Technology has offices in New Brunswick, Canada and Washington, DC.
For more information, visit www.arc-cleantech.com.
About Nucleon Energy Inc.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Nucleon Energy is a clean energy project developer focused on delivering integrated, dispatchable energy solutions across North America. The company is currently advancing cogeneration and electricity-only sites at several locations in Canada and the United States to serve the needs of power grids and industrial consumers with next-generation, low-carbon technologies.
For more information, visit www.nucleon-energy.com.
Media Inquiries:
ARC Clean Technology
Sandra Donnelly
Director, Corporate Services
sdonnelly@arc-cleantech.com
Nucleon Energy Inc.
Ryan Tourigny
Chief Development Officer
rtourigny@nucleon-energy.com
403-973-6880
We’re honoured to share that the Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee in North Dakota has selected Nucleon Energy to lead a 12-month study that will chart the state’s path toward a nuclear-powered future.
Earlier this year, the legislature approved House Bill 1025, authorizing state funding for a nuclear energy study. Our proposal was chosen from among nine firms that presented to the committee.
What We’ll Be Working On
Over the next year, our team will:
- Identify potential locations for future nuclear development,
- Gauge public support and community readiness, and
- Lay the groundwork for the federal licensing process.
As a Canadian-based developer specializing insmall modular reactors (SMRs), we’re focused on providing affordable, reliable, non-emitting power that can compete with other fuel types.
Why Community Engagement Matters
From our perspective, nuclear projects can only succeed when they have strong community partnerships.
“The permitting cycle for nuclear plants is so long and so expensive that you can’t push that into a community,” said Will Bridge, CTO at Nucleon. “We’ve found success by bringing neutral experts into communities early, making sure people are informed, and ensuring they feel like partners from day one.”
Site selection will also depend heavily on existing or planned transmission infrastructure. As Ryan Tourigny, Chief Development Officer, explained:“It’s fundamental that we put these where the transmission grid either now or in the near future allows. Otherwise, we drive up costs for ratepayers, and that doesn’t make sense for North Dakotans.”
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, this study is about more than just one state. It’s part of a broader moment across North America, where utilities are exploring nuclear power as a way to meet the rising demand for electricity, driven in part by data centres, artificial intelligence, and electrification.
We believe small modular reactors will become increasingly economical over time, and now is the moment to build the foundation. North Dakota’s leadership in commissioning this study is a strong signal that the state is ready to explore what a nuclear-powered future could look like.
We look forward to collaborating with state leaders, stakeholders, and communities throughout this process, and to sharing updates along the way.
For more information on this recent development, read the news from the North Dakota Monitor.
About Nucleon Energy Inc.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Nucleon Energy is a clean energy project developer focused on delivering integrated, dispatchable energy solutions across North America. The company is currently advancing cogeneration and electricity-only sites at several locations in Canada and the United States to serve the needs of power grids and industrial consumers with next-generation, low-carbon technologies.
For more information, visit www.nucleon-energy.com.
Media Inquiries:
Nucleon Energy Inc.
Ryan Tourigny
Chief Development Officer
rtourigny@nucleon-energy.com
403-973-6880
Calgary, Alberta — August 01, 2025. Nucleon Energy Inc. (“Nucleon”), a Calgary-based small modular reactor development and operations company focused on Canada and the U.S.
Nucleon Energy is now a registered market participant in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the independent system operator that manages the state’s electric grid. This important milestone strengthens Nucleon’s ability to advance our Small Modular Reactor (SMR) siting work by engaging directly in one of North America’s most dynamic power markets.
Texas is an exceptional environment for SMR development: its competitive market structure, large and growing demand from industry and data centers, and clear need for reliable, low-carbon baseload power create ideal conditions for innovation. By entering the ERCOT market, Nucleon is positioned to bring forward projects that combine cutting-edge nuclear technology with market-driven solutions to support reliability, decarbonization, and economic growth.
This step reflects Nucleon’s broader strategy to establish itself as a private developer, licensee, and future operator of SMRs across North America. As an ERCOT participant, we will be able to directly contribute to the Texas power market while advancing the siting, licensing, and operational frameworks required to deploy the next generation of clean energy.
For more information on ERCOT, visit www.ercot.com.
About Nucleon Energy Inc.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Nucleon Energy is a clean energy project developer focused on delivering integrated, dispatchable energy solutions across North America. The company is currently advancing cogeneration and electricity-only sites at several locations in Canada and the United States to serve the needs of power grids and industrial consumers with next-generation, low-carbon technologies.
For more information, visit www.nucleon-energy.com.
Media Inquiries:
Nucleon Energy Inc.
Ryan Tourigny
Chief Development Officer
rtourigny@nucleon-energy.com
403-973-6880
