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Canadian National Energy Alliance named as Preferred Bidder to manage Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
(2015 June 26) Today, the Government of Canada announced Canadian National Energy Alliance as the preferred bidder to manage and operate Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), currently a subsidiary of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL).
Canadian National Energy Alliance represents a group of experienced nuclear engineering and management firms, including: CH2M Hill Canada, Fluor Government Group – Canada, EnergySolutions Canada Group, SNC-Lavalin, and Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear Canada. The company was selected through a rigorous competitive procurement process and will lead the transformation of CNL into a three-mission national laboratory.
"This announcement represents good news for the future of the Canadian nuclear sector and for Canadian nuclear science and technology," declared Dr. Robert Walker, CNL's President and CEO. "Canadian National Energy Alliance has deep experience in successfully operating and growing national laboratories around the world through the Government-owned, Contractor-operated (GoCo) management model."
The selection of Canadian National Energy Alliance as the preferred bidder marks a significant milestone in the process to procure the services of a private sector contractor to manage and operate the Nuclear Laboratories and deliver on its three core missions:
Federal waste and decommissioning responsibilities;
Nuclear science and technology expertise in support of federal government needs; and,
Science and technology and related services to third-parties on commercial terms.
Canadian National Energy Alliance will bring private-sector rigour and efficiency to the management and operation of CNL. "Canadian National Energy Alliance has the technical capabilities and international experience to maximize the value of the laboratories," adds Walker. "I am confident in the opportunity to leverage our unique facilities and world-class expertise to bring new success."
The move to a GoCo model is part of Government's commitment to establish a solid foundation for Canada's nuclear sector to create and seize new opportunities. To this end, recent investments of more than $325 million have been made to revitalize research infrastructure and further investments will continue in the years ahead. Beyond CNL, new international agreements have opened the doors to trade opportunities in nuclear energy, most notably in China and India.
The Government and Canadian National Energy Alliance will finalize the contract for the management of CNL in preparation for share transfer in the early fall.