Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Update - January 2021

2021-01-18

Fredericton, N.B. –The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station (PLNGS) was taken offline this weekend to address a mechanical issue related to equipment supporting the turbine system.

NB Power is undertaking assessments to determine the work required for repairs. This work is taking place on the conventional, non-nuclear side of the plant and poses no risk to employees, the public or the environment.

Third Quarter Operations Report

The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station (PLNGS) produced 866,199 net megawatt-hours of non-emitting electricity during the third quarter of the 2020/21 fiscal year.

During the third quarter, NB Power successfully completed a planned maintenance outage that began in September.

PLNGS production represented approximately 32 per cent of the total net generation from all NB Power generating stations in this period, with a net capacity factor of 60 per cent. Capacity factor is the megawatt-hour output of a generating station compared to the maximum that could be produced.

In December, the Station produced 489,635 net megawatt-hours of non-emitting, low-carbon electricity. Its production represented approximately 43 per cent of the total net generation from all NB Power generating stations with a net capacity factor of 100 per cent.  

About the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station

The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station is a 660 megawatt (net) nuclear generating station and a base load contributor to the New Brunswick electrical grid. It produces enough non-emitting electricity to power more than 333,000 homes per year and is a foundational piece of both our domestic energy supply and our export sales. Point Lepreau is a major component of NB Power’s generating assets and contributes to NB Power sourcing 80 per cent of the electricity used in New Brunswick from clean, renewable or non-emitting source.