Agreement strengthens relationship between Canada’s national nuclear laboratories and Jamaica through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
Chalk River, ON – October 24, 2024 – Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to drive nuclear opportunity for Canada, and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Jamaica to cooperate on nuclear science and technology. The MOU strengthens what has been a growing relationship between the two nations, which has included a visit to the AECL Chalk River Laboratories last October from Andrew Holness, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, members of his cabinet and leading government officials responsible for the country’s clean energy portfolio.
Jamaica is the first Member State of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to establish an independent nuclear regulatory body and is home to the Caribbean’s only nuclear reactor — the 20 kW SLOWPOKE research reactor, designed by AECL, located at the University of West Indies, Mona campus. With the new agreement in place, and in accordance with existing bilateral arrangements between Canada and Jamaica, the organizations are poised to collaborate across a wide range of nuclear fields to pursue economic development, reduce emissions, and advance innovative nuclear technologies related to public health, waste management and environmental sciences.
“Working together is the only way forward to confront the shared challenges of the clean energy transition that is currently underway,” said Jack Craig, President & CEO, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. “With this agreement in place, CNL, AECL and Jamaica can share our experience and capabilities through collaborative projects, making meaningful strides towards the safe, carbon-free, reliable energy solutions that both our nations are seeking.”
“The signing of this MOU brings two excellent partners together. Jamaica is an excellent partner for Canada in advancing the application of nuclear science and technology. As the only country in the Caribbean to operate a nuclear research reactor, the SLOWPOKE 2, an AECL design, Jamaica is emerging as a leader in fostering regional collaboration in nuclear science and technology,” said Fred Dermarkar, President and CEO, AECL. “Canada has a long history of leadership in nuclear science and technology, having pioneered nuclear energy production, the development and deployment of isotopes for nuclear medicine, and the application of nuclear science to the study of materials. And more recently, the management and long-term disposal of nuclear waste. We look forward to a continued collaboration.”
As part of the MOU, the organizations have identified a list of focus areas that interests both parties and leverages their unique strengths, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), hydrogen sciences, medical isotopes, radioactive waste management, and environmental monitoring, among others. The agreement also establishes opportunities for cooperation that will be considered as the relationship moves forward, such as the delivery of joint research projects and programs, the sharing of scientists, engineers and other professionals, and the exchange of scientific and technical information.
Jamaica, like many other island nations, is working to move from fossil-fuel generated electricity towards modern, low-carbon options, including nuclear. As Jamaica’s nuclear program grows, this new agreement will enable access to the wide range of nuclear products and services available at the Chalk River Laboratories. As Canada’s national nuclear research laboratories, the Chalk River campus hosts a wide range of advanced nuclear facilities, including laboratories dedicated to advanced reactor research, nuclear fuel development and testing, health sciences, analytical chemistry, thermalhydraulics and mechanical testing. In addition to the nuclear facilities, CNL has an active research program utilising advanced modelling and simulation to explore how nuclear can fit with other energy sources to provide a more comprehensive, and cleaner, approach to addressing a customer’s overall energy needs.
To learn more about CNL, including its nuclear science and technology projects and programs, please visit www.cnl.ca.
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About AECL
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to drive nuclear opportunity for Canada. AECL enables nuclear science and technology, owns the Chalk River Laboratories and other sites, and manages the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste responsibilities. It oversees and evaluates CNL’s work through contracts.
In business since 1952, AECL designed and developed the fleet of CANDU nuclear reactors that serve Canada and five other countries. The corporation also delivered more than one billion isotopes worldwide to detect and treat cancer. Today, AECL delivers value for Canadians through supporting 14 federal departments and agencies through its Federal Nuclear Science and Technology Work Plan, and by supporting the global nuclear industry.
For more information on AECL, visit www.aecl.ca.
About CNL
As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.
By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.
To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.
AECL Contact:
Jeremy Latta
Director of Communications and Government Reporting
Phone: 343-303-5448
Email: jlatta@aecl.ca
CNL Contact:
Philip Kompass
Director, Corporate Communications
1-866-886-2325
media@cnl.ca
