The reactor unit in the province of New Brunswick is in the final stages of commissioning after a troubled overhaul. It was grid-synchonised on 23 October, said owner NB Power, to supply power for the first time since refurbishment began four years ago. The company noted that remaining commissioning tasks include increasing and decreasing power, disconnecting from the grid and reconnecting. After this the reactor will return to routine operation and supply power continuously.
Point Lepreau’s 660 MWe output will meet about one-third of New Brunswick’s goal of sourcing 75% of its electricity from “clean, renewable or non-emitting sources by 2020.”
The work should see the reactor operate until around 2035.
The unit’s long-awaited return to operation means all 20 of Canada’s reactors are producing power for the first time in many years. Reactor units at Bruce A that had been laid-up for 17 years were brought back into operation in September and October. The country can now call on nuclear power reactors with total capacity of 14,169 MWe.
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