Fred Dermarkar Re-appointed as President and CEO of AECL
Effective February 8, 2024, the Government of Canada has re-appointed Fred Dermarkar for a second three-year term as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL).
“I am pleased that Fred will continue to lead AECL through this exciting era for nuclear in Canada,” said Jim Burpee, Chair of the Board of AECL. “His profound knowledge of the industry and his first-hand experience ensures a steady hand as we look to take full advantage of Canada’s groundbreaking nuclear expertise to innovate in the fields of clean energy, health sciences and environmental remediation.”
Dermarkar has been working in the nuclear industry for more than 40 years. He joined AECL in 2021, following seven years as the President and CEO of the CANDU Owners Group (COG), where he led the advancement of collaboration between CANDU operators worldwide. Prior to that, he held a variety of positions at Ontario Power Generation (OPG) in support of the design, commissioning, operation, and refurbishment of its CANDU reactors.
“During my first term I am proud of the progress made by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories as it fulfills nuclear science and environmental remediation mandates, including major achievements in revitalizing the Chalk River Campus; the approval by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to construct a near surface disposal facility at Chalk River; and accelerated progress in cleaning up historic waste at Port Hope and Port Granby,” said Dermarkar.
“For my second term, my focus will be on completing the procurement process and associated transition to the next Government-owned / Contractor-operated contract, working with local Indigenous communities to advance reconciliation through our environmental remediation mission, working with academia and the supply chain to advance nuclear innovation through our world-renowned labs at the Chalk River site, and working to advance the renewal and deployment of AECL’s CANDU technology.” added Dermarkar.
About AECL
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to drive nuclear opportunities for Canada. AECL enables nuclear science and technology, owns the Chalk River Laboratories and other sites, and manages the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste responsibilities through a government-owned / contractor-operated (GoCo) model that is executed by its contractor, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. AECL continues to own intellectual property for the CANDU® reactor technology for the benefit of Canadians.