Ontario Construction News staff writer
It’s been four years since Bruce Power started its Life-Extension Program, and now the execution phase of its first Major Component Replacement (MCR) project has started.
The Operations team at the Bruce B nuclear generating station completed the rundown sequence for Unit 6 and took the unit offline in January.
Units 3 – 8 will be upgraded during MCR from now until 2033, replacing the reactor components to extend the life of those units, and the Bruce Power site, to 2064.
“The Unit 6 project marks the next big step in a long campaign to revitalize this site,” Mike Rencheck, President and CEO, said in a media release.
“It has taken commitment, focus and innovation to get us to this point, and on behalf of our board of directors and the senior leadership team, thank you to everyone who has contributed to the MCR planning process.
“Our employees, supplier partners and skilled tradespeople participating in this project are ready for the journey ahead, and I look forward to delivering our plan and securing our future.”
Expanding the life of the Bruce Power site until 2064 will result in an annual injection of $4 billion into Ontario’s economy while creating and sustaining 22,000 jobs across the province each year.
The company will continue to safely provide clean, affordable, reliable power and life-saving medical isotopes while strengthening local communities and protecting the environment.
“With Unit 6 offline, we have reached a pivotal moment in Bruce Power’s history,” Rencheck said. “We are focused on doing our work safely, to the highest standard, on time and on budget.”
Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County with over 4,200 employees.