Point Lepreau:
OVERVIEW:

NB Power Nuclear is responsible for operating the Point Lepreau Generating Station, to safely and reliably generate electricity for the wholesale market and provide a return to the owner. The 635 MW unit, commissioned in 1983, was the first CANDU-6 to begin commercial operation.

Nuclear safety is the primary focus of station activities. CANDU is an established Canadian technology with an excellent nuclear safety record, and Point Lepreau is a safe working environment. The station has exceeded one million person-hours without a lost-time accident on three occasions.

Point Lepreau has been a reliable generator during its 23 years of operation – its in-service capacity factor is approximately 83 percent, slightly above design performance expectations. The facility accounts for up to 30 percent of in-province generation.

HOW THE REACTOR WORKS:

The uranium atoms undergo a fission process that releases thermal energy, creating a controlled chain reaction. The heat energy is picked up by a flow of heavy water and transported to steam generators. The flow of heavy water gives up its heat and turns light water into steam. The steam is sent to turbines via four main steam lines. The steam energy is converted to electricity via a generator.

Point Lepreau Fact Sheet >>

POINT LEPREAU - REFURBISHMENT PROJECT:

On July 29, 2005, the Government of New Brunswick announced that NB Power will proceed with the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau Generating Station with the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited as the general contractor. Together this team is committed to delivering this project on time and on budget and is confident in making this refurbishment the key to Powering the Future of New Brunswick.

Introductory Video >>

Project Status >>

PROPOSED POINT LEPREAU II -A SECOND REACTOR

The Government of New Brunswick has received Team CANDU’s feasibility study, which examined the market demand for a second nuclear facility in the province. The government will now undertake a thorough review of the study, which will lead to a decision on the next steps the Province may wish to pursue.

Team CANDU New Brunswick represents five of the world's leading nuclear technology and engineering companies that have joined together to provide a nuclear energy solution to meet the province's growing electricity needs. Team CANDU New Brunswick draws on the experience and expertise of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Babcock & Wilcox Canada, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc., Hitachi Canada Ltd and SNC-Lavalin Nuclear Limited.

The construction of a second nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau has the potential to create up to 4,000 jobs during construction and 500 permanent, high-paying jobs to operate the facility. As well, it presents an opportunity for New Brunswick to develop a nuclear cluster around research, training, manufacturing and design.

In August 2007, the province hired a third-party consultant, MZConsulting, to perform a viability study for a new nuclear facility in New Brunswick. This study was independent from the Team CANDU feasibility study.The viability study is high level study that addresses key issues around market potential, project viability and the criteria required for a successful business venture. It assesses potential business models as well as broader issues outside the scope of the Team CANDU study.

New Brunswick is the only province in Atlantic Canada licensed for operation of a nuclear power facility. The Point Lepreau nuclear generating  station, which produces 630 megawatts of electrical power, is currently being refurbished at a cost of $1.4 billion.

Summary of The Feasibility Study >>