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Uranium in Saskatchewan

Cleaner Air with Uranium

Canada is the world leader in uranium production and produces a large amount of nuclear power. Eighteen nuclear power plants provide about 16 percent of Canada's electricity and make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas and other emissions. Every year, emission of more than 2 billion tonnes of CO₂ worldwide is avoided by nuclear power plants fuelled by uranium. In fact Dr. Kupcis, Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Association, stated, "Without present-day nuclear capacity, Canada's greenhouse gas levels would be between 15 and 20 percent higher. Existing nuclear plants [in Canada] avoid the emission of 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, emissions that would occur if fossil fuelled plants had produced the same electricity."

Nuclear power generation produces no carbon dioxide or other emissions that contribute to smog and acid rain. A number of independent studies have shown that life-cycle emissions for nuclear power plants, including construction, operations, fuel production, decommissioning, and waste disposal, are comparable to other non-emitting generation systems such as hydro and wind. Other studies have found that nuclear energy compares favourably with all other large-scale sources of electricity in life-cycle cost analyses.

With world electricity demand expected to double by 2030, nuclear is an increasingly attractive option to help meet growing demand; and many countries are turning to nuclear energy. This trend will support strong markets for Saskatchewan uranium well into the future.