Thursday, May 28, 2026
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) announced that it has received a $2.2 billion capital commitment from the Government of Canada to continue the revitalization of the Chalk River Laboratories.
The capital commitment, which will be made available to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) by AECL, allows CNL to continue to modernize the AECL-owned Chalk River Laboratories campus through the revitalization of essential site infrastructure and a significant investment in new science facilities.
“Canada has been a global science leader from the very beginning of the nuclear age, led by ambitious scientists and federal government support,” said Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “Nuclear leadership, and building the next generation of clean, affordable nuclear energy production means making serious investments in Canada’s homegrown scientific capacity. Strategic investments like these will create jobs, advance energy security, and strengthen Canadian sovereignty.”
Funding will also support the continued design and construction of the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre (ANMRC), a state-of-the-art research complex that will be one of the largest nuclear research facilities ever built in Canada. Once complete, the 12,700 square-metre facility will feature 23 laboratories and 12 shielded hot cells that will enable post-irradiation examination of small modular reactor (SMR) and next-generation nuclear fuels in addition to glovebox facilities to support the development of advanced fuel fabrication concepts.
The ANMRC project is No. 88 on ReNew Canada’s 2026 Top100 Projects report.
Because AECL’s Chalk River Laboratories site is over 70 years old, much of the infrastructure both underground and above ground needs to be replaced or refurbished, including the renewal of approximately 60 buildings and facilities on the campus. The funding commitment will enable CNL to continue this process, which began in 2016, and has included the construction of several new, modern laboratories, support facilities, site infrastructure and office buildings. A key focus of future capital spending will be on sustainable investments into the campus, including energy efficient heating and cooling; and roof and exterior improvements to meet government of Canada’s net zero greenhouse gas emission goals some of which is already well underway.
“CNL is grateful to AECL and the Government of Canada for this funding, which will continue to transform the Chalk River Laboratories into a modern, sustainable and innovative national campus,” commented Dennis Carr, CNL’s President and CEO. “The nuclear industry is moving into a new era that will include the construction of new, large-scale conventional reactors, innovative SMR and advanced reactor designs, and even the deployment of fusion technologies. All these ambitious projects will require extensive R&D and the necessary innovation to ensure they are safe, reliable and viable. That is the role of Canada’s national nuclear laboratories, and I want to thank AECL and the Government of Canada for their confidence in CNL to fulfill this responsibility.”
Featured image: (CNL)
