Sask. might be good bet for nuke plant, TransCanada CEO says

It might make more sense to build a nuclear power station in uranium-rich Saskatchewan than in Alberta, the head of TransCanada Corp. says.

Calgary-based pipeline giant TransCanada is a majority owner in Bruce Power, the company hoping to build twin nuclear reactors near Peace River in northern Alberta.

However, TransCanada CEO Hal Kvisle is raising questions about the cost of power transmission in a location that far north and says Saskatchewan may be a better bet.

A number of options are being explored, including "whether it should be in some other location in Alberta or, frankly, whether it should be in Saskatchewan," Kvisle told CBC. "These are all open issues and there's much work to be done."

Bruce Power spokesman Steve Cannon said while he's not surprised Kvisle has raised Saskatchewan as a possible site for a reactor, that doesn't change Bruce's focus on Alberta.

"He's right. Saskatchewan is an interesting market to look at," he said. "But at this point, to be perfectly honest, we're committed to proceeding with our analysis on the site at Peace River and we'll continue to see if that site holds promise for a new build."

Saskatchewan is the world's largest uranium producer, but doesn't have any reactors or nuclear waste storage facilities. Previous studies have suggested the province's power needs are too small to make a reactor viable.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has said he'd like to expand Saskatchewan's nuclear industry. Although he has stopped short of pushing for a Saskatchewan reactor, the province is studying the possibility.