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Canada’s national nuclear laboratory prioritizes support as new nuclear era in Canada begins
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 The projects initially proposed at both the Chalk River Laboratories and Whiteshell Laboratories are no longer active as part of the CNL process.
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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.
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“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.”