Point Lepreau to be shut down for maintenance for 7 weeks

The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station will be taken offline Friday, Apr. 1, for about seven weeks to conduct scheduled maintenance, including repairs on the nuclear side of the plant, NB Power announced on Tuesday.

More than 600 contractors and tradespeople from across the province will assist NB Power crews in performing about 13,000 "technical maintenance activities," according to a statement.

"Together, we will be focused on ensuring high standards for safety and quality, which will improve equipment reliability and predictability of performance at the station," president and CEO Gaëtan Thomas said in the statement.

On the nuclear side, work will include repairs, modifications and inspections on multiple systems, including the primary heat transport system.

Some of the major projects on the conventional side will include modifications to the switchyard, which connects the station to the electrical grid.

Could save $3M annually

This work is expected to improve the reliability of the electrical system and is projected to save the utility up to $3 million annually, the statement said.

Other projects include the replacement of two low-pressure turbine rotors, as well as general maintenance and inspection work.

"Investing in ongoing planned maintenance at the station is essential to getting the most in the long run out of this vital energy asset," said Thomas.

The shutdown has been scheduled to coincide with the increase in hydroelectricity from the spring melt on the St. John River in a bid to reduce the financial impact of replacement power costs.