To fuel the future of artificial intelligence, Silicon Valley has just taken an unexpected detour through a decades-old Canadian nuclear powerhouse.

Canadian firm AtkinsRéalis has formally submitted a Notice of Intent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This begins the pre-application licensing process to bring its CANDU reactor technology to the United States to meet surging electricity demands from AI, data centers, and advanced manufacturing.

The Enhanced CANDU®6 is a 700+ MW pressurized heavy-water reactor that uses natural uranium fuel. 

“As the United States enters a new chapter in its civilian nuclear program, AtkinsRéalis is uniquely positioned, as the steward of CANDU technology, 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, AtkinsRéalis. 

“This Notice of Intent marks a critical milestone in the development of CANDU’s international market. It’s also the first step in a process that supports our ambition to provide the U.S. with the reliable, affordable, and safe large-scale nuclear power that is central to providing energy security,” Edwards added. 

No enrichment needed

Driven by the massive electricity demands of expanding data center hubs, the current energy crunch requires a continuous, reliable power supply that weather-dependent renewables like wind and solar simply cannot guarantee. 

As artificial intelligence operates around the clock, tech companies are forced to look beyond standard green energy for an uninterrupted, baseline source of electricity.

That is where Canada’s workhorse reactor comes in. The primary selling point for the Enhanced CANDU 6 reactor is that it sidesteps the biggest geopolitical issue in modern energy: enriched uranium.

Standard American reactors rely on a complex fuel enrichment supply chain typically dominated by Russia. The CANDU design uses heavy water and natural, unenriched uranium. This distinction eliminates dependence on foreign sources and grants operators total control over their fuel supply chain.

“CANDU reactors strengthen U.S. energy security in a very tangible way,” said Joe St. Julian, President, Nuclear, AtkinsRéalis. “That fuel flexibility, combined with decades of on-time and on-budget performance, will give the United States greater control over its nuclear fuel supply chain, which is of paramount importance in the current geopolitical climate, while delivering dependable, low-carbon baseload power,” Julian added. 

Proven technology

The timing is not accidental. The move comes just days after the Canadian government unveiled a federal nuclear strategy to export CANDU technology to at least four new international markets by 2040.

But winning over American regulators will not be a cakewalk. The U.S. regulatory framework has mostly been built entirely around Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Introducing a heavy-water design requires navigating deep bureaucratic waters. Hence, it could be a bit tricky to break into the U.S. ecosystem for the Canadian firm.

Yet, AtkinsRéalis is betting that its track record will cut through the red tape.

Compared with the highly experimental Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) currently being pitched by tech billionaires, CANDU is not a concept drawing. It is a proven commodity. Thirty-four of these units have been built globally, racking up nearly 1,000 reactor-years of real-world operation across Canada, South Korea, China, and Argentina. 

Furthermore, the 700+ megawatt reactors use an “online refueling” system. And do not need to shut down to reload fuel, which helps to simply keep running.

Canada’s reliable, quiet giant is ready for its American debut. The tech sector is watching closely.

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