Bruce Power Committed To Nuclear Improvements

OTTAWA -- Bruce Power CEO Duncan Hawthorne told delegates at the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) Annual Seminar that the company will be spending on improvements to both the Bruce A and Bruce B nuclear plants.

He indicated that $400 million was being spent to return Bruce A units 3 and 4 to service this year.

In addition, he indicated that Bruce Power will spend an additional $400 million to improve the four Bruce B nuclear reactors to their original rating of 900 MW. He noted that the company has already begun a program to upgrade the low pressure turbines and to introduce a new fuel design.

Mr. Hawthorne said the nuclear industry needs to spread its message actively that nuclear power has a reliable fuel source over the long term, that nuclear power offers long term electrical price stability, and that nuclear power is the only environmentally acceptable counterbalance to the use of natural gas.

He noted that current nuclear power plants in Ontario will have to be replaced at some time.

"We need to plan today to build the units of tomorrow," Mr. Hawthorne said.

Source: Canadian Nuclear Association Newsletter