Pickering, Ontario, April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) led a delegation of 10 leading Canadian nuclear suppliers along with the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE) to this year’s ITER Business Forum in Antibes France from March 26 to 28. The bi-annual ITER Business Forum brings together more than 1000 delegates from 30 countries to hear updates on ITER construction and systems installation and to seek opportunities to collaborate in tackling ITER project challenges.
The $24B International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Project is a unique multinational undertaking, involving six major partner nations and the European Union’s 28 member countries, which will pave the way for the use of nuclear fusion technology to provide almost limitless clean energy to nations around the world.
The Canadian trade mission followed on the heels of the landmark signing of an MOU on April 17, 2018 by then Canadian Minister of International Trade, François-Philippe Champagne, and Dr. Bernard Bigot, Director General of ITER Organization, to enable technical cooperation between Canadian companies and universities, including our fusion experts, and the ITER Organization and participating companies from ITER partner countries.
The Canadian delegation visited the ITER project, Europe’s largest construction site, on March 25 and toured the Poloidal Field Coils facility, the Cryostat workshop, the massive Assembly Building and the Tokamak Complex at the heart of the site. “The scale and complexity of the facilities we visited were truly impressive...this project exemplifies teamwork, offering an amazing example of what can be accomplished when the best engineer/construct talents from many nations join together to achieve a common goal,” said Dean Townsend OPG’s Vice President of Engineering Strategy.
“ITER staff on site and ITER suppliers from many participating countries showed a genuine interest in learning about what the Canadian team could bring to the project based on their unique capabilities acquired in designing and operating CANDU nuclear plants for 60 years” observed OCNI’s President and CEO Ron Oberth. “We look forward to exploring in the coming months how Canada can best support the ITER project by complementing the diverse capabilities of the ITER partner nations”.
OCNI would like to acknowledge the strong support for the trade mission provided by the Canadian Embassy in Paris and by Canadian Trade Commissioner Monsieur Denis Trottier. The mission was co-funded by Global Affairs Canada through its “Global Opportunities for Associations” program (GOA).
Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) is an association of 240 suppliers to the nuclear industry in Canada and abroad that employ more than 14,000 highly skilled and specialized engineers, technologists, and trades people. OCNI companies design reactors, manufacture major equipment and components, and provide engineering services and support to CANDU nuclear power plants in Canada as well as to CANDU and Light Water Reactor (LWR) plants in offshore markets.
For more information contact:
Dr. Ron Oberth, President and CEO, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries
905 839 -0073 or 647 407 6081, ron.oberth@ocni.ca
Monsieur Denis Trottier, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Embassy 33 (0) 1 44 43 23 82, denis.trottier@international.gc.ca
Backgrounder (see below)
Minister Champagne signs memorandum of understanding with International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor while in France
News release
From: Global Affairs Canada
April 17, 2018 - Paris, France - Global Affairs Canada
Canada has been a world leader in nuclear energy for over 60 years. The nuclear industry of Canada is a vital source of innovation, job creation and low-carbon energy. The next generation in nuclear technology will help Canadian organizations contribute to building cleaner and safer products that will support the country’s energy needs in a low-carbon economy.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, and Ron Oberth, President of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries, met with Bernard Bigot, Director General of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), today to discuss the potential of hydrogen fusion technology as a sustainable, safe and clean, non-carbon emitting source of energy. The Minister and Dr. Oberth also discussed possible areas of interest shared by Canadian institutions and corporations and the ITER Project, a world-class venture that aims to industrialize nuclear fusion as an energy source.
During the visit, Minister Champagne signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ITER. The MOU will allow for the identification of specific areas of technical cooperation for Canadian institutions and corporations in the nuclear sector, with a focus on opening business opportunities for Canadian exporters to make their expertise and technologies available to the ITER Project.
Quotes
“Canada’s expertise in the nuclear sector is world renowned, and this MOU will launch a process to ensure that Canadian suppliers are able to export technologies and expertise on a commercial basis in support of the ITER project, which, in turn, will contribute to well-paying middle-class jobs and more sustainable energy in the future.”
- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade
“This MOU is good news for the Canadian nuclear industry and a testament to the excellence of Canadian nuclear energy expertise and technology. This arrangement will ensure that Canadian suppliers are positioned to support the ITER Project on a commercial basis, helping to advance clean, non-emitting energy for the future.”
- Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources
Quick facts
- When it becomes operational in 2025, First Plasma, the ITER Project, will provide further research into the use of fusion technology as a viable and sustainable source of energy.
- Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen that occurs both naturally and as a by-product of the operation of CANDU nuclear reactors. Tritium is also an essential part of the fuel that will be required for the ITER Project.
- Canada has a long history of expertise in the handling and technology and handling of tritium.
Contacts
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Alexandre Deslongchamps
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
343-998-1533
Alexandre.deslongchamps@canada.ca
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