AtkinsRéalis moves to bring CANDU nuclear reactors to U.S. market

The filing initiates pre-application engagement with federal regulators, positioning the CANDU design as a ready-to-deploy solution for large-scale energy needs. Unlike experimental reactor concepts, the CANDU platform boasts a track record of decades of service across multiple international jurisdictions. The Enhanced CANDU 6 design is a 700+ MW-class pressurized heavy water reactor that operates on natural uranium, a feature the company highlights as a way to bolster U.S. energy security by reducing dependence on foreign enrichment services.

Ian L. Edwards, President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis, described the move as a critical milestone in the company’s international strategy. The firm is currently in discussions with U.S. utilities, state governments, and industrial power purchasers to identify deployment sites, prioritizing locations with existing nuclear infrastructure to accelerate development timelines. Beyond electricity generation, the technology is also utilized globally for the production of life-saving medical isotopes, including Cobalt-60, which is essential for cancer treatment and equipment sterilization.