News Releases

CNSC Allows Bruce A Unit 1 Restart

12-12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2012

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced its decision to authorize Bruce Power to restart Unit 1. This authorization will allow Bruce Power to restart the reactor and bring it up to 50% of full power in order to perform several safety tests under the oversight of the CNSC. Bruce Power will also require CNSC approval to increase power further. 

Bruce Power fulfilled all the prerequisites for reactor restart outlined in its licence. A team of CNSC onsite staff and technical experts conducted a number of inspections and reviews to confirm that conditions in the licence were met and that safety tests were successfully completed. 

"The CNSC is satisfied that Bruce Power has completed all necessary safety tests in order to restart its newly refurbished Unit 1," said Ramzi Jammal, CNSC Executive Vice-President and Chief Regulatory Operations Officer. “CNSC staff will closely monitor all restart activities before electricity is produced.” 

A copy of the official CNSC decision is available upon request at info@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

Bruce A

Bruce Power operates the Bruce A and Bruce B Nuclear Generating Stations, located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, near Tiverton, Ontario. Bruce A, which began operating in 1972, has four nuclear power reactors with a capacity to produce 750 megawatts of electricity each. Of these reactors, units 3 and 4 are operating at full power, while units 1 and 2 are currently shut down for refurbishment to bring them up to present-day operating standards. 


Bruce Power’s Nuclear Operator Shane King monitors progress at a Control Room panel as heavy water coolant is put back into the Unit 1
heat transport system. Kincardine, Ontario, Canada (Courtesy: Bruce Power)

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Contact:
Aurèle Gervais Media and Community Relations Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 613-996-6860