Planned maintenance outage to begin at Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station

2025-07-11

NB Power will begin a planned maintenance outage at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station (PLNGS) on Monday, July 14.  This outage, part of our annual planned outage cycle, is an important investment in the Station’s long-term reliability and in our ability to continue providing low-emitting, baseload electricity to New Brunswickers. 

As with all NB Power generation facilities, planned outages are key parts of PLNGS’ maintenance program as they allow teams to inspect and maintain equipment that cannot be accessed while the Station is online.  

More than 23 000 tasks are planned during the outage, including replacing heat transport pump seals, performing motor and pump maintenance, and conducting testing on electrical systems and safety equipment.   

In addition to routine maintenance and inspections, the work this year will include a generator rewind. This involves replacing the stator windings inside the main generator, which is located on the conventional (non-nuclear) side of the Station. While the 2024 outage repairs to the generator were based on industry experience and guidance from technical experts, it was known at the time that those repairs were temporary and that a full rewind would be required at the first appropriate opportunity. The decision was undertaken to do the repair and ensure that PLNGS was online for the winter heating season while the necessary parts for the full rewind were being manufactured.  This work   will help strengthen long-term generator reliability and reduce the need for future maintenance. 

The Station’s return to service is anticipated in December. NB Power will continue to meet the electricity needs of New Brunswickers using the rest of its generation fleet and interconnections when needed and when it makes economic sense.  

PLNGS has been generating safe, low-carbon electricity since 1983. It continues to be a critical part of New Brunswick’s energy mix and a major contributor to the provincial economy, supporting hundreds of jobs and local suppliers. The majority of Station expenditures go to employees, contractors, and suppliers, most of whom live and operate in New Brunswick.   

Costs associated with the outage will be included in NB Power’s annual financial statements, which are publicly available. 

NB Power remains committed to sharing information as work progresses, and to ensuring New Brunswickers have the electricity they need when they need it.  

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Fraser at efraser@nbpower.com