The Point Lepreau Generating Station workforce continues to work diligently to complete
the Refurbishment Project. Since the Refurbishment Project began in the spring 2008,
we have worked hard to meet several milestones and overcome significant challenges
to safely and successfully complete this project.
Some of the significant milestones our workforce has achieved to date include the
following:
In April 2008, Siemens personnel, contracted to complete the turbine generator overhaul
component of the Refurbishment Project, arrived on site to begin their series of
work. In the fall 20010, the turbine generator system overhaul was completed, and
is now in a state of readiness to produce an additional 25 megawatts of power once
the Point Lepreau Generating Station is returned to service.
In May 2008, we reached a significant Stage 1 milestone. After 41 days of round-the
clock work, the last of the 4,560 fuel bundles was removed and the reactor core
was defueled.
After completing the reactor disassembly series of phase 2 of the Project, which
included the removal of the 380 calandria tubes, AECL began the overall inspection
of the reactor vessel. Based on the inspections, AECL confirmed that the reactor
vessel and its components are in good condition in December 2009 and that it is
safe to operate for an additional 25 to 30 years.
The installation of the 760 upper feeders was successfully completed in March 2010.
Lessons learned during the early installation on both the east and west sides of
the reactor, were applied to achieve excellent results on the remainder of the job.
In addition, the delayed neutron tube welding work and all boilers cleaning activities
were safely and successfully completed.
Calandria Tube Installation
In October 2010, AECL made the decision to proceed with the removal and replacement
of the 380 calandria tubes, after the project team encountered difficulties in achieving
the necessary seal tightness between the calandria tube and the tube sheets that
form the two end plates of the reactor vessel.
AECL revised its project schedule with a planned completion date of May 2012 for
Phase 2 of the Project. Once retube activities are completed, NB Power will proceed
with the commissioning activities which will take approximately four months in order
to safely return the reactor to service in the fall of 2012.
Currently, we are completing the calandria tube sheet bore polishing series of work
slated to be complete by the end of March 2011.
Some of the upcoming milestones include:
- Calandria tube installation (August 2011)
- Completion major work of NB Power (November 2011)
- Fuel channel installation (December 2011)
- Lower feeder installation (May 2012)
- Station start-up activities (four months)
- Return to Service (Fall 2012)
Both NB Power and AECL continue to work diligently to safely complete the project
activities in as short a time as possible while remaining fully committed to the
values of operating a safe work site and delivering a quality end result - a reactor
that will deliver safe and reliable power to New Brunswick for the next 25 to 30
years.
It is apparent that all workers at PLGS are committed to this project and are confident
in their ability to fulfill our commitment to complete this project safely for the
people of New Brunswick.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the Refurbishment Project.
Together, we will achieve our goal of safely returning the Point Lepreau Generating
Station to service in a quality fashion.
Sincerely,
Rod Eagles
Refurbishment Project Director
NB Power Nuclear Corporation