All of Canada’s nuclear reactors running for first time in nearly 20 years

OTTAWA — For the first time in almost two decades, all 20 of Canada’s nuclear power reactors are supplying electricity to the grid.

The milestone was reached this week when the Point Lepreau reactor was connected to New Brunswick’s electrical grid for the first time in since March 2008.

The controversial refurbishment project to extend the plant’s operational life to 2025 is three years behind schedule and $1 billion over its $1.4-billion budget.

In Ontario, the Bruce Power generating station at Tiverton is now running all eight of its reactors for the first time in 17 years. Bruce’s refurbished Unit 2 reactor was restarted last week and synchronized to the province’s grid, the first time it has seen service since 1995.

Neither Lepreau nor Unit 2 will resume full power until commissioning activities, including safety system shutdown testing, are complete and final approvals are issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Meanwhile, the Unit 1 reactor at the Bruce site on the shore of Lake Huron returned to service Sept. 20 after a 15-year shutdown for refurbishment. It is now at commercial operating status.

The cost to the privately-held Bruce Power corporation to update units 1 and 2 has been enormous — $4.9 billion, almost double the original estimate.

Bruce Power says once Unit 2 is approved for full power, the pair will produce enough electricity to power the cities of Ottawa and London, Ont., combined.

Bruce is the largest nuclear facility in North America in terms of output, with a total output capacity of 6,224 megawatts (MW). It houses two nuclear generating stations — Bruce A and Bruce B — each with four CANDU reactors.

The return to service of the 750 MW 1 and 2 reactors doubles the number of operational units from 2001 when Bruce Power purchased the operation from Ontario Hydro. Power generation from all eight reactors is considered essential if the Ontario government is to achieve its goal to eliminate coal-fired electrical generation by 2014.

At mid-afternoon Thursday, hourly nuclear generation in Ontario amounted to 10,130 MW, while coal-fire plants generated 628 MW. Hydro power supplied about 3,870 MW, natural gas 1,195 MW and wind 1,060 MW.

Source: ottawacitizen.com