The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has announced that a 10-year Power Reactor Operating Licence had been granted to NB Power for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station (PLNGS). Following a two-part public hearing, CNSC confirmed that PLNGS’s safety measures meet the regulatory requirements of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and protect the public, employees, and the environment.
“We respect the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s decision.”, said Brett Plummer, Vice President Nuclear and Chief Nuclear Officer at NB Power. “This decision represents the longest-term licence for Point Lepreau to date, and we are pleased. Licence renewal is a very thorough and balanced process, and we understand the many complex perspectives and attributes that are required to be carefully considered.”
Approximately 200 intervenors provided written submissions about their views of PLNGS’s licence application, and 40 intervenors made presentations to CNSC at the Part 2 hearing held in May. Throughout the process, NB Power engaged First Nations, community leaders, industry peers and members of the public.
The single-unit PLNGS is a 660MWe Candu-6 reactor unit, which has been in commercial operation since 1983. It received a five-year licence extension in 2017. It is a major component of NB Power’s generating assets and contributes to NB Power sourcing approximately 80% of the electricity used in New Brunswick. In 2021/22, it represented approximately 46% of the total net generation from NB Power generating stations, with a net capacity factor of approximately 88%.
Image: Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station has received a 10-year licence renewal term from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (photo courtesy of New Brunswick Power)
