Bruce Power reports Unit 6 planned outage under way; Unit 8 continuous service

A planned maintenance and inspection program is under way on Unit 6, part of the Bruce B generating station at the Bruce Nuclear site in the Municipality of Kincardine.

A press release from Bruce Power, operator of the site, states that this program will see an investment of about $100-million in the 822-megawatt unit.

Unit 6 was shut down Wednesday after more than 100 days of continuous service providing, clean, reliable and affordable electricity to the provincial grid.

 

“This investment is being made so the unit can run safely and reliably through its next operational cycle,” says Brian O’Grady, senior vice-president, Bruce B. “By investing now, we are setting the table for continued safe, reliable performance and helping keep the air clean for Ontario families.”

Approximately 700 temporary workers will work alongside Bruce Power employees to complete thousands of tasks prior to the unit’s return in the third quarter of 2015.

Bruce B was the top performing multi-unit CANDU plant in the world last year and was recognized internationally, being awarded the Institute of Nuclear Power Operators (INPO) award of excellence in recognition of its world-class performance.

Meanwhile, Unit 8 reached 500 days of uninterrupted service earlier this week.

 

The Bruce B unit, which is one of the world’s top-rated pressurized heavy water reactors, surpassed the 500-day mark which is one of the longest runs of continuous operation in company history.

 

“Unit 8 has been a top performer for the people of Ontario,” says O’Grady. “The reliability of the unit has been stellar which is a testament to our employees who work hard to maintain and operate these reactors to such high standards. By providing a reliable source of cost-effective and clean nuclear electricity, the people of Ontario benefit from Unit 8’s long run as well.”

 

Three of Bruce B’s four units have surpassed 500 days of continuous operation since Bruce Power was formed in 2001, says O’Grady. Unit 8 holds the Bruce site record of 580 days of continuous operation.