Bruce updateStrong performance delivers more electricity to Ontario
Early return of Bruce B reactor from planned outage helps alleviate
supply shortage
TIVERTON, ON, June 26 /CNW/ - Unit 5 at the Bruce B Generating Station
has emerged from a planned maintenance outage ahead of the original June 30
commitment made to the Independent Electricity Market Operator (IMO), capping
a year in which no Bruce Power reactors were forced into unplanned shutdowns.
The return to service of Unit 5 comes on the heels of a first quarter that saw
all four Bruce B units run at 100 per cent capacity.
As well, Bruce B Unit 8 has achieved almost 500 days of continuous
service, making it the second longest operational run for any reactor in the
history of the Bruce site. Unit 8 will be taken offline later this year for
routine maintenance to ensure it remains in top form for years to come.
"Taken individually, each of these events are worthy of celebration,"
said Duncan Hawthorne, Bruce Power's President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Taken together, they are proof that our employees have not only kept their
operational focus during our Bruce A Restart project, they have significantly
improved the performance of our Bruce B units."
By improving upon an already aggressive outage target, Hawthorne said the
earlier than planned return of Unit 5, combined with operational performance
of the other Bruce B units, means Bruce Power will supply considerably more
electricity to the Ontario grid this month compared to June of 2002.
"So far this year, Bruce B has produced approximately 25 per cent more
electricity than it did over the same period last year," Hawthorne said. "Our
employees have contributed substantially to keeping the lights on in Ontario.
Our focus remains on maintaining the operational excellence of the Bruce B
units while we forge ahead with the final commissioning of the safety
enhancements of the Bruce A units."
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is reviewing the
documentation submitted by Bruce Power associated with Unit 4 restart. Unit 4
will return to service following final stage commissioning and regulatory
approval. Unit 3 return to service will occur about one month thereafter.