New nuclear builds, SMR developments in Canada, Turkey, Philippines, Thailand

News from the international nuclear stage continues to flow at a steady pace, with recent happenings in Canada, Turkey, the Philippines, and Thailand. Here is the latest from Nuclear News's international coverage.

Canada and Turkey nuclear cooperation: Last week, Canada and Turkey signed a strategic partnership that strengthens the countries' relations with each other, including in nuclear energy cooperation. Leaders from the two countries said they will "significantly advance collaboration across the energy sector, including liquefied natural gas, civil nuclear energy, renewable energy, clean technologies, and critical energy infrastructure resilience."

This partnership very well could lead to Turkey selecting AtkinsRéalis and its CANDU reactor technology for the country's second nuclear power plant, as multiple news outlets reported. On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to reports that Turkey was considering CANDU reactors, which are pressurized heavy water reactors that use deuterium as a moderator and can be fueled while on line. Carney said there are "good chances" Turkey will choose CANDU, but he noted that there is competition.

"The strength of the CANDU technology, the strength of Canada as a whole in terms of delivering that, the partnerships with some of the Turkish businesses-including on the construction side of this-and the ability to build out elements of the supply chain all make it in our view a quite compelling proposition," Carney said in a news conference.

In a LinkedIn post, AtkinsRéalis president and CEO Ian Edwards said the Montreal-based company will conduct a feasibility study to explore the potential of CANDU reactors at Sinop, a city on the northern side of Turkey along the Black Sea. Work continues at Turkey's first nuclear plant, Akkuyu, a four-reactor, 4,456-MWe facility consisting of four VVER-1200s. An update on the project Tuesday said hydraulic strength tests of the secondary circuit were successfully completed for Akkuyu-1.

Philippines and U.S. aid: Multiple news outlets out of Asia reported the Philippines' nuclear energy facility ambitions could have some financial assistance from the U.S. in the form of up to $5 billion. Earlier this week, Giovanni Bacordo, undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Energy, said during a recent visit to the United States and meeting with the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. that they could provide up to $5 billion in loans, payable over roughly 25 years. The Philippine Information Agency reported on the country's long-term nuclear energy plans, which include a target of 1.2 GW of nuclear capacity by 2032, growing to 4.8 GW by 2050.

In an effort to strengthen ties with the Philippines regarding its nuclear aspirations, last February, the United States announced several initiatives, including the following:

Conducting a feasibility study to explore potentially deploying American small reactors in the country.

Providing a nuclear reactor control room simulator.

Establishing a public-private workforce development partnership.

Funding a nuclear technology trade mission.

Hosting a study tour for Philippine legislators.

Funding new academic partnerships and workforce development programs.

Thailand's plans: Thailand's long-term vision for nuclear power includes the deployment of its first small reactor by 2037, according to a draft of its more recent Power Development Plan. The first reactor would produce about 300 MW, with a final national target of 9,000 MW combined from all small reactors by 2050.

The long-term plan served as a backdrop for the October 26 academic seminar, "Strengthening Thailand's SMR Pathway: Strategy and Project Implementation." The workshop was a collaboration between the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and was intended to further the discussion on small reactors in Thailand. According to EGAT, the event was attended by Siriwat Chedsi, EGAT's deputy governor for power plant development and renewable energy; IAEA representative Anna Jaison; and other distinguished guests.

At the workshop, Sompop Pattanariyankool, deputy permanent secretary of the Thailand Ministry of Energy, said small reactor technology is one of the key options in Thailand's strategy to ensure long-term energy security, support economic growth, and shift its energy mix more toward low-carbon options.

"Countries around the world are striving to strengthen energy security, enhance economic competitiveness, and achieve climate goals by exploring various clean energy technologies capable of providing reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity," according to a statement released by the workshop.