SNC-Lavalin awarded contract by University of Alberta for SLOWPOKE research reactor decommissioning

SNC-Lavalin has been awarded a multimillion dollar contract by the University of Alberta for the decommissioning of its Safe Low-Power Kritical Experiment (SLOWPOKE®) research reactor.

SNC-Lavalin will perform and manage the decommissioning work, including waste management. Along with providing the required tooling, equipment and training for this work, SNC-Lavalin will also deliver project, training, and support documentation. The work has begun in early 2016, ending in late 2017.

“Decommissioning and waste management is part of our wholistic life cycle approach to nuclear,” said Preston Swafford, chief nuclear officer and executive vice-president, Nuclear, SNC-Lavalin. “Our decommissioning experience, combined with our waste management capabilities, will ensure that this research reactor is retired in the safest and most cost-effective manner.”

“The University of Alberta is pleased to have Candu Energy Inc. (a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group) lead the decommissioning process for the SLOWPOKE reactor,” said Hugh Warren, Associate Vice President, Operations and Facilities, University of Alberta. “They have demonstrated expertise from previous projects and the recent completion of a project implementation plan. We look forward to collaborating and working with Candu Energy through this unique project.”

Developed by the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) in the 1960s, this SLOWPOKE reactor is one of four in Canada, operating in universities to support nuclear education and neutron research. SNC-Lavalin’s Nuclear team also decommissioned a SLOWPOKE reactor at Dalhousie University in 2011.