Canada needs to vertically integrate its fuel supply chain to progress as a Tier 1 nuclear supplier nation

Abstract

Canada is the second largest producer of natural uranium, with a conversion capacity in line with Russia. However, current capacity is underutilized, and Canada is not an enriching nation. Bottlenecks exist for the current supply chain within these two stages that are further exacerbated by the global dependence on select countries for enriched uranium. Demand for advanced fuels that use low enriched uranium (LEU), and high-assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) are expected to increase in the coming decades as advanced reactors come online. Canada’s large and rich uranium reserves provide an opportunity to diversify the existing supply chain by maximizing the country’s ability to convert and enrich uranium domestically. Examining existing obstacles to industry, the research presented in this review will focus on maximizing the opportunities and benefits to the nuclear industry and broader economy by vertically integrating the fuel supply chain within Canada.