Less than two weeks after it returned to service, the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station is once again offline as crews work on repairs. The New Brunswick station went back online on Aug. 19 following a four-month planned maintenance outage, which involved more than 20,000 tasks. It went dark again on Aug. 31 to allow for the repair of a gasket on the turbine system. NB Power says it identified the needed repair when the station returned to higher power following the planned outage. “This is the best path forward,” said Steve Bagshaw, site vice president and chief nuclear officer, in a news release. “Taking the time now to complete this repair helps reduce the risk of unplanned interruptions during the winter months, helping ensure we are ready when customers need us most. This approach supports the long-term reliability of the Station.” Point Lepreau, which has been in operation since 1983, has a net capacity of 660 megawatts. Last year it provided roughly one-third of the province’s electricity. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
