Point Lepreau Generating Station Refurbishment Project Update

Fredericton , N.B., 2010 June 03 — Overall work on the Point Lepreau Generating Station’s Refurbishment project is approximately 75% complete. The Station is important to New Brunswick’s electricity system and the refurbished Station will supply 35% of the in-province electricity need. In addition to the retubing work we’ve completed many other jobs at the Station including the reinstallation of the three low pressure rotors, the reassembly of the turbine generator and now in many areas, we are completing testing and preparing ourselves for the restart of the Station. Restarting the Station safely and with quality is critical to providing customers with safe, reliable, affordable electricity.

CURRENT PROJECT STATUS

AECL is currently working on the reassembly of the reactor and have completed the upper feeder installation. The lower feeder installation will proceed once the fuel channel components are all installed.

Calandria Tube Installation

AECL is progressing with the calandria tube installation of the retube activities. This is proving to be one of the most complex aspects of the entire Project. The insertion of all 380 calandria tubes was completed on April 28, 2010. This is a major milestone for the Refurbishment project, as it marks the first time that all of the calandria tubes have been removed and new tubes inserted in a CANDU reactor.

Work is now focused on rolling the calandria tubes in order to create a seal tightness that meets specification. AECL is currently experiencing challenges with producing consistently acceptable tight seals. Each calandria tube requires an insert at each end to be rolled and tested – 760 in total. Of the 760 inserts, 421 have been successfully tested. AECL is taking every step possible to resolve this issue diligently and expeditiously so that installation work can be completed with the highest safety and quality standards. Resources are being applied intensely to ensure developed procedures will resolve this issue.

It is important to recognize the dedicated support and effort of all employees and supplemental staff who are working hard, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many of the challenges that we have been faced with have been technical in nature and not the result and efforts of the individuals who have contributed so much for this project to be a success for the Province of New Brunswick. AECL and NB Power appreciate all the support that they continue to receive from the local communities and stakeholders.

Project Schedule

Information on the overall project schedule continues to be founded on the best data available. In September 2009, AECL revised the completion date for its retube activities to October 2010. AECL has stated that this completion date is no longer achievable. New guidance on the completion of the retube activities will be issued when plans are finalized for the calandria tube installation.

All projects of this magnitude face challenges – and the project is not unique in this regard. However, employees and supplemental staff are committed to this project and are confident in their ability to fulfill the commitment to complete this project safely. Refurbishing the Point Lepreau Generating Station will provide reliable operation for the next 25 to 30 years. NB Power and AECL are committed to providing regular updates on the Point Lepreau Generating Station Refurbishment project at the end of each month.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Refurbishment Project Schedule - AECL-Dale Coffin, Director, Corporate Communications,
1-866-886-2325, email: coffind@aecl.ca

Refurbishment Project General - NB Power-Kathleen Duguay, Public Affairs Manager (506) 659-6433, email: kduguay@nbpower.com