As Canada sharpens its focus on Arctic sovereignty and defence readiness, energy resilience is emerging as a critical enabler of operational capability. A new partnership between Canadian and South Korean industry players is now zeroing in on how next-generation clean energy systems could help power that future.
Announced in Montreal on April 28, 2026, Hanwha Power and Hanwha Ocean have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ottawa-based Boreal Energy Systems to evaluate the use of Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) technology across defence infrastructure and industrial applications in Canada. At its core, the collaboration reflects a growing recognition that energy security—particularly in remote and austere environments—is inseparable from national security.
The initiative brings together complementary strengths. Hanwha Power contributes advanced energy systems expertise, including its supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) power cycle technology, while Boreal Energy Systems represents a Canadian anchor in nuclear innovation. Hanwha Ocean, for its part, will examine how these technologies could extend into maritime domains, from offshore platforms and industrial marine assets to complex systems such as Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units.
“Canada’s ability to operate effectively in the Arctic and other remote regions will increasingly depend on resilient, sovereign energy solutions,” said Glenn Copeland, CEO of Hanwha Defence Canada. “This collaboration brings together Canadian innovation and global industrial expertise to explore how next-generation energy systems can support defence capability while contributing to long-term industrial development in Canada.”
Beyond defence applications, the partnership is also exploring how MMR technologies could be scaled to support Canada’s mining and broader industrial sectors. With remote, off-grid energy demand continuing to challenge northern and resource-based operations, the potential for compact, low-carbon power systems offers a compelling pathway forward. The collaboration will assess how existing technologies can be adapted for industrial-scale deployment while advancing joint technical and commercial proposals for both land-based and maritime use cases.
Strategically, the effort aligns closely with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which emphasizes sovereign capability, industrial participation, and long-term economic value creation. More than a technology evaluation exercise, the partnership signals a broader shift in how defence-related investments are structured—moving away from transactional procurement toward integrated, capability-driven ecosystems.
“This partnership with Hanwha truly leverages Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy and Industrial Technological Benefits (ITB) policy,” said Albert Heller, Founder, CEO, and Chief Technology Officer of Boreal Energy Systems. “Through Canada’s defence investment commitments, Boreal Energy Systems will seek additional financing and grow a domestic industrial base for military and dual-use civilian technology. Boreal Energy Systems is a prime example of the Government of Canada’s defence strategy in action.”
From a domestic perspective, the collaboration underscores how defence-driven initiatives can catalyze broader industrial growth. By linking energy innovation with defence and industrial applications, the partnership positions clean energy not just as an environmental imperative, but as a strategic asset—one capable of reinforcing Canada’s sovereignty, resilience, and long-term economic strength.