Bruce Power has successfully completed the replacement of all eight steam generators at Unit 3 of the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), a significant milestone in the ongoing Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project. This project, which began in January 2020, is part of Bruce Power’s broader CAD13bn ($10bn) Life Extension Programme aimed at extending the operational life of the plant until 2064.
The Bruce NPP, located in Ontario, operates eight pressurized heavy-water Candu reactor units, with Units 1-4 at Bruce A and Units 5-8 at Bruce B. These units began commercial operations between 1977 and 1987. The Life Extension Programme, which includes asset management and MCR, was launched in 2016 and involves extensive refurbishment of the reactors to extend their lifespans by 30-35 years.
Unit 3’s MCR started in March 2023, and the newly replaced steam generators are a key part of the refurbishment. The work is progressing on schedule, with Unit 3 expected to return to service in 2026. Previous units, including Unit 6, which was taken offline in 2020 and returned in 2023, have already been refurbished under the same programme. Overlapping MCR outages will continue across the site until 2033, ensuring that each reactor will remain operational for decades to come.
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