 Home > Questions > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the decision to refurbish the Point Lepreau Generating Station the best one for New Brunswick?
This decision to refurbish the Point Lepreau Generating Station is the most prudent, balanced, and realistic approach. It will limit the impact on rates, provide for security and diversity of supply, take into consideration the impact on the environment, and allow New Brunswick to keep a highly-trained, skilled workforce.
Does NB Power Nuclear have the experience to do this?
NB Power Nuclear will proceed in partnership with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). They are the original designer of the nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau. As the original designer, they are best equipped with the engineering skills necessary to carry out the refurbishment.
How much will this cost?
The refurbishment project cost is $1.022 billion and the cost of replacement energy is approximately $400 million.
How do we know the project will not go over budget?
Extensive project planning with AECL has already been invested to define the full scope and cost of the project and this has given NB Power Nuclear confidence in the cost of completing this work on budget. In addition, over 90% of the AECL scope of the work on the project is a fixed price.
What is the project schedule?
NB Power Nuclear is committed to delivering this project on time and on budget:
- Detailed engineering will commenced immediately and will continue until the refurbishment outage.
- Procurement will begin in November 2005 with the completion expected in March 2008.
- Construction of temporary facilities and waste storage will begin in April 2006.
- The planned maintenance outage will start in April 2008 and will be completed by September 2009.
What does this mean in terms of jobs?
Approximately 1,500 people (including NB Power Nuclear and AECL staff) from a variety of vocations will be required for the construction phase of the project. NB Power Nuclear will use as many current Point Lepreau employees as possible.
How many contractors will be involved with the refurbishment?
There will be approximately 450 person years of construction trades hired for the project.
How long will the station run once refurbished?
The Point Lepreau Generating Station is expected to run another 25-30 years once refurbished.
Why bother refurbishing, why not build another nuclear generating station?
Point Lepreau provides for 25-30% of New Brunswick's energy needs and is a very important source of reliable and safe supply of energy. After completing an exhaustive examination of all options and addressing concerns identified by the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities and Dr. Robin Jeffrey, NB Power Nuclear is confident that refurbishment with AECL represents the best balance of cost and risk for the ratepayers of New Brunswick.
Do we really need the energy produced by the Point Lepreau Generating Station?
Yes. Point Lepreau provides about 25-30% of the power consumed in New Brunswick. It is generated in a safe, environmentally friendly manner. Current load forecasts require all of the energy produced by a refurbished Point Lepreau.
Who regulates the refurbishment?
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is the regulatory authority for all nuclear plants in Canada. In order to operate, NB Power Nuclear has two operating licenses from the CNSC – one for the Generating Station itself and a separate license for the Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility.
Is this the first time a facility like this has gone through a refurbishment?
Other nuclear reactors have gone through a retubing process very similar to what is proposed for Point Lepreau during the refurbishment and the experience gained has been incorporated into the Point Lepreau Refurbishment Project.
Work being undertaken as part of the refurbishment is similar to work which is carried out as normal utility maintenance and upgrade programs.
Does the Refurbishment change the capacity of the station?
No. The station has and will have a maximum capacity of approximately 680 MW.
Will any of the exterior structure of the station have to be dismantled for the refurbishment?
No, although several new structures will be built for the Solid Radioactive Waste Management Facility.
Is Point Lepreau really making a positive difference on the environment?
Yes. For example, since 1983, Point Lepreau Generating Station has generated a cumulative total of 114,000,000 MWh:
- displacing the equivalent of about 162,000,000 barrels of oil
- averting the emission of about 87,750,000 tonnes of CO2
In 2007, with a capacity factor of 74.1%, generation from the station avoided approximately:
- Sulphur Dioxide (SO2 ): 56,000 tonnes
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ): 3,180,000 tonnes
- Nitrogen Oxide (NOx): 12,700 tonnes
Will the environment be affected by all of the construction and work associated with the refurbishment?
No significant adverse environmental effects are predicted, due to rigorous environmental management and proven mitigation strategies. The Environmental Assessment also found that there will be no significant adverse cumulative environmental effects. All of the work that is carried out during the refurbishment must adhere to strict environmental codes and regulations.
How will NB Power Nuclear ensure that the people hired for the construction work will be safe and will have an understanding of the special requirements of the project?
Worker safety during construction and operation will be assured by compliance with the various governing standards including the NB Employment Standards Act and the New Brunswick Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations, as well as the As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) program.
Contractors coming on to the site must participate in an orientation program that includes training on radiation protection, security and general health and safety. In addition, specific training programs will be necessary for the individual tasks being undertaken.
|