November 23, 2012 – The Point Lepreau Generating Station returned to commercial operations today, marking what is projected to be the beginning of 25 to 30 years of providing power for New Brunswickers and export customers.

“Point Lepreau is fundamental to achieving our goal of having 75% of New Brunswick’s electricity coming from clean, renewable or non-emitting sources by 2020,” said Craig Leonard, energy and mines minister. “Further, with Point Lepreau back online, NB Power now has greater export sales opportunities.”

The refurbishment of the Point Lepreau Generating Station, says NB Power, positions it “once again as a utility with a world-class nuclear facility and a highly skilled workforce required to operate it”.

“Having this newly refurbished, high-tech facility back on our grid means so much to NB Power and to New Brunswickers,” said Gaetan Thomas, president and CEO of NB Power. “We can now accelerate our investment in other priorities such as our new strategic direction around helping customers reduce their energy use.”

“Tests and monitoring will continue through the early weeks of commercial operation to ensure that all aspects of the facility are working as intended and responding appropriately as part of the electricity system,” added Thomas.

With the station in the final stages of commissioning, a series of reactor physics, generator and safety systems tests were successfully completed to ensure dependable, safe and reliable operations of the 660MW facility, located 50 kilometres west of Saint John.