Bruce Power president and CEO appointed to Holtec small modular reactor advisory council

Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s president and chief executive officer, is joining the advisory council for Holtec International to provide input to the company’s executive leadership, regarding its small modular reactor program.

“We are thrilled to have Mike (Rencheck) join our advisory council,” said Dr. Kris Singh, president and chief executive officer of Holtec International. “His wealth of experience encompasses running nuclear plants, as well as supporting them as a top executive at a leading international energy company. The SMR-160 reactor will be the fortunate beneficiary of his deep well of knowledge. We are grateful to both Mike (Rencheck) and Bruce Power.”

Rencheck joins a group of respected industry leaders that reviews and critiques the SMR-160 small modular reactor, challenging design and operational decisions, providing advice and direction, and effectively informing the design development.

The SMR-160 is described as a passive, intrinsically-safe, secure, and economically-attractive small modular reactor with the flexibility to be used in remote locations, in areas with limited water supplies or land, and in unique industrial applications where traditional larger reactors are not practical.

July 17, SNC-Lavalin and Holtec International announced the signing of a teaming agreement, which will see SNC-Lavalin assist in the development of the SMR-160.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Mike (Rencheck) to the advisory council as he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table,” said Preston Swafford, SNC-Lavalin’s chief nuclear officer and executive vice-president, nuclear. “We have a very strong team of industry experts in place and, with this addition, it just got stronger.”

Holtec International is a diversified energy technology company with its headquarters located in Jupiter on Florida’s Treasure Coast. The company launched the SMR-160 program in late 2010 with the initial licensing application expected by December, 2018.

Holtec International has completed the construction of a $312-million Technology Campus on the Delaware River in Camden, New Jersey. T will serve as the company’s principal operation centre to develop new technologies and to build large and complex equipment and structures for the industry including the SMR-160 reactor systems.