Canada’s Nuclear Answer to America's AI-Fueled Energy Crisis

MONTREAL, QC – June 24, 2026 – In a move that underscores the immense pressure on America’s energy infrastructure, Canadian engineering giant AtkinsRéalis has formally initiated the process to bring its large-scale CANDU nuclear reactor technology to the United States. The company submitted a Notice of Intent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), firing the starting gun on a regulatory journey that could introduce a powerful, and strategically unique, solution to the nation's looming power deficit.

The filing is a direct response to what industry analysts and utility operators have been warning about for years: an unprecedented surge in electricity demand fueled by the voracious energy needs of artificial intelligence, hyperscale data centers, and a reshoring of advanced manufacturing. This modern industrial revolution is straining the grid in ways that require not just more power, but more reliable, carbon-free baseload power.

"As the United States enters a new chapter in its civilian nuclear program, AtkinsRéalis is uniquely positioned... to help advance the country's ambitious energy policy through proven, low-cost reactor technology with a world-class reputation," said Ian L. Edwards, President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis. The move, he noted, is a "critical milestone" aimed at providing the U.S. with the reliable, large-scale nuclear power central to energy security and economic growth.

A Proven Workhorse in a Field of Unicorns

While much of the recent nuclear buzz has centered on the promise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), the AtkinsRéalis proposal pivots back to the advantages of scale and experience. The Enhanced CANDU® 6 design is a 700+ megawatt-class heavyweight, a workhorse with a global resume spanning nearly 1,000 reactor-years of operation across five countries, including Canada, South Korea, and China.

Unlike many novel concepts still on the drawing board, CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) reactors are a known quantity. The technology has been operating for decades, navigating diverse regulatory frameworks and demonstrating a consistent record of safety and performance. This history of operational success is a significant de-risking factor in an industry where cost overruns and delays on first-of-a-kind projects have historically been a major challenge.

The design's technical distinctiveness is also a core part of its value proposition. As a pressurized heavy water reactor, it possesses a key feature that sets it apart from the U.S.'s existing fleet of light water reactors: the ability to run on natural, unenriched uranium. Furthermore, its design allows for online refueling, meaning it can be refueled while still operating, drastically increasing its availability and capacity factor compared to reactors that require periodic shutdowns.

The Geopolitical Ace: Sidestepping the Enrichment Bottleneck

The decision to lead with a natural uranium-fueled reactor is more than a technical detail; it's a shrewd geopolitical play. The United States currently has a significant vulnerability in its nuclear fuel supply chain: a heavy reliance on foreign nations for the uranium enrichment services required by its existing reactor fleet. This dependency has become a glaring national security concern, particularly given Russia's significant role in the global enrichment market.

By using natural uranium, CANDU technology effectively sidesteps this entire bottleneck. It eliminates the need for costly and geopolitically sensitive enrichment processes, offering a direct path to enhanced energy independence.

"CANDU reactors strengthen U.S. energy security in a very tangible way as they use natural uranium and do not require enrichment, ultimately reducing reliance on foreign enrichment services," explained Joe St. Julian, President of Nuclear at AtkinsRéalis. He emphasized that this fuel flexibility gives the United States "greater control over its nuclear fuel supply chain, which is of paramount importance in the current geopolitical climate."

This feature aligns perfectly with recent U.S. policy shifts, including a ban on Russian uranium imports and billions in federal funding aimed at rebuilding a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain—a long and expensive endeavor. The CANDU reactor offers a potential shortcut, allowing utilities to secure fuel from a wider, more stable array of allied uranium-producing nations like Canada and Australia without the enrichment prerequisite.

Navigating the Regulatory Gauntlet

The Notice of Intent is merely the first step in a long and arduous journey. The U.S. NRC licensing process for a new large-scale reactor design is one of the most rigorous in the world, a multi-year marathon of technical reviews and safety evaluations. While the NRC has been taking steps to streamline its processes for advanced reactors, bringing a foreign, heavy-water design through the American system will be a formidable test.

However, this is not the first time the technology has been on the NRC's radar. Decades ago, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), the original developer, had preliminary discussions about certifying a CANDU design in the U.S. AtkinsRéalis, as the inheritor of the technology and a company with extensive experience in nuclear safety and licensing support within the U.S. federal market, is well aware of the challenge ahead. The company's strategy involves engaging U.S. utilities and focusing on siting reactors at existing nuclear facilities, which could simplify environmental assessments and leverage existing infrastructure and a skilled workforce.

More Than Just Megawatts

The potential impact of CANDU extends beyond the electricity grid. The reactors are prolific producers of medical isotopes, particularly Cobalt-60, which is critical for sterilizing medical equipment and for cancer treatments. CANDU reactors in Canada already produce about 50% of the world's supply, and bringing this capability to the U.S. would add a vital layer of resilience to the North American healthcare supply chain.

The economic implications are also significant. AtkinsRéalis is backed by a robust Canadian nuclear supply chain of 250 companies and 90,000 professionals, representing a deep well of expertise that could be leveraged for U.S. projects. The deployment of these large-scale reactors would represent a massive infrastructure investment, promising thousands of high-paying construction and operational jobs.

As AtkinsRéalis begins its formal engagement with the NRC, it is presenting a compelling case that intersects technology, economics, and national security. The move positions CANDU not just as a power source, but as a multifaceted strategic asset in America’s quest for energy security and technological dominance.