The flagship of the CANDU industry, the Point Lepreau Generating Station, is undergoing one of the most important upgrades in the history of CANDU technology.

As the first CANDU 6 unit to be licensed for operation and to begin commercial operation - entering service in 1983 - it will now become the first CANDU 6 to undergo full refurbishment.

And Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), its original designer 25 years ago, is once again playing a primary role, as general contractor, and will be ensuring the successful completion of the life-extension project.

"Clean, reliable, affordable power from Point Lepreau Generating Station is crucial to the continued economic well being of the people of New Brunswick," said Robert Van Adel, AECL President and CEO. "Our employees, resources and proven track record will ensure this project is completed successfully and that the Point Lepreau reactor continues producing power efficiently for another 25 to 30 years."

A reactor mock-up is being readied by AECL to play a vital role in extending the life of the Point Lepreau Generating Station.

New Brunswick Power, the only nuclear utility in Atlantic Canada, awarded AECL fixed price/firm schedule contracts in July 2005. As general contractor, AECL is managing and executing all of the fieldwork and is responsible for three aspects of the overall project:

• Retubing - in which all 380 fuel channels and associated feeder tubes will be removed and replaced
• Construction of a Solid Waste Management Facility at the site to store removed radioactive material such as the pressure tubes from the reactor core and,
• Refurbishment, where aging components and outdated technology will be removed and upgraded

Plant owner New Brunswick Power is responsible for other aspects of the project including: normal shut down of plant for refurbishment outage; removal of fuel; heavy water; normal maintenance during outage; providing new fuel; reloading heavy water and returning the station to service. The project is to be completed in 2009.

The Point Lepreau Generating Station has a net capacity of 635-megawatts and supplies about 30 per cent of the energy consumed in the province.

The refurbishment project is well on its way, with activities proceeding on time and on budget. There are currently construction activities in three areas of the waste site:

• Phase I – low and intermediate waste extension
• Phase II – dry fuel canister extension
• Phase III – retube waste structures

AECL recently celebrated a project milestone with the completion of groundwork preparation for the waste management facility and first pour of cement for the foundation of the concrete containers for waste.

David Scott, AECL’s General Manager, CANDU 6 Refurbishments and Project Director for the Point Lepreau Refurbishment, said that AECL’s 25-year experience of actively supporting the operation of the station has given the company an added advantage.

Erecting circular tie-less formwork for the retube canister walls of the waste management facility.

"Because of our knowledge and strong working relationship with Point Lepreau staff and New Brunswick Power, we have had a very smooth and seamless experience in ramping up for the project," David said.

"AECL has maintained its long-standing commitment to hire and work closely with qualified local labour and suppliers," he said. "A series of New Brunswick contracts relating to tool manufacturing and construction services have also been awarded."

AECL currently has 31 full-time staff. Of those, 27 are New Brunswick residents and 24 were recruited locally. In addition to seasoned professionals, the expanded team includes seven recent graduates from the University of New Brunswick.

The project will significantly benefit the province long after the project’s completion, David added.

"There are 10 CANDU 6 units in the world and this is the first to undergo such a significant overhaul," he said. "In time, more CANDUs will require similar overhauls and the expertise gained here will inevitably be utilized for similar projects."