Ontario Energy Report highlight company’s role in powering the province and supplying life-saving medical isotopes around the world
Just over a year ago, Bruce Power raised the curtain on its Major Component Replacement Project with the start of its Unit 6 refurbishment. It was the start of a challenging 2020 in the face of a once-in-a-generation pandemic.
Today, Canada’s only private sector nuclear generator is on track with the Unit 6 project, including the successful removal of 50,000 feet of feeder tube from the vault and the event-free removal of the lower feeders – a first in CANDU refurbishments. A collective effort by Bruce Power workers and the skilled trades has allowed the first phase of MCR to stay on track, despite a two-month delay when COVID-19 arrived in North America. The company, with the support of supply chain partners, is also celebrating the completion of manufactured components for the Unit 6 MCR.
As the largest employer in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties, Bruce Power also realized the responsibility it had to support local communities and Ontarians with COVID-19 relief. The company responded by providing 2.5 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), nearly $1 million in aid to researchers and food banks, and another $1 million through the Be a Light: Beating COVID-19 Together campaign to support local communities, organizations and businesses. A pair of successful Cobalt-60 harvests supported the production of medical isotopes to sterilize 24 billion gloves and swabs for COVID-19 treatment.
Bruce Power also brought together the province’s nuclear industry to establish the Retooling and Economic Advisory Council to further bolster PPE distribution and other relief efforts throughout the pandemic.
“In a year that presented unforeseen challenges, our workers and partners in the nuclear supply chain stepped up to make sure Bruce Power continued to produce clean, reliable, low-cost electricity for Ontario’s residents, hospitals, long-term care homes and businesses, while also lending a helping hand to the residents of Bruce, Grey and Huron counties,” said Mike Rencheck, President and CEO. “I’m extremely proud of the company’s accomplishments last year, in keeping our Unit 6 MCR on track, continuing to operate our units efficiently and effectively, and for being there when our communities and the province needed help in the fight against this public health crisis.”
Lisa Thompson, Huron-Bruce MPP and the Minister of Government and Consumer Services, expressed her gratitude to the company for its role in powering Ontario through COVID-19.
“Bruce Power has demonstrated real community leadership here in Huron-Bruce and across the province since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Thompson said. “I appreciate their work with our local communities to confront the difficult challenges we have all faced over the past year, and thank them for their commitment to continuing to support the residents of Huron-Bruce through the pandemic and beyond.”
Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, and Bill Walker, Associate Minister of Energy and MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, offered their congratulations to Bruce Power on this important milestone.
“Congratulations once again to Bruce Power for reaching this key milestone under unprecedented and difficult circumstances posed by COVID-19,” Minister Rickford said. “Bruce Power’s Life-Extension and MCR Projects support Ontario’s clean energy future and secure Ontario’s position as a global leader in nuclear refurbishment and innovation. Thank you once again to the team at Bruce Power for their commitment and dedication to supplying Ontarians with affordable, reliable, and GHG-emissions-free electricity.”
“Bruce Power ought to be commended for their perseverance in keeping this vital component replacement work on track despite very challenging circumstances,” added Minister Walker. “This work will generate thousands of Ontario jobs as well as billions of dollars in economic activity, and benefit Ontario ratepayers by securing a supply of clean, affordable, and reliable electricity for decades to come.”
Rencheck acknowledged several supply chain companies for their efforts in completing the manufacturing of reactor components for the Unit 6 MCR, including Laker Energy/BWXT, Cameco, Nu-tech, Brotech, BCI, and Niagara Energy.
“Having the components on time sets us up very well to complete several major milestones on the Unit 6 refurbishment in 2021,” Rencheck said. “We’re grateful to these companies for helping to put us in a position to stay on schedule. We’re committed to helping bring an end to COVID-19, and to continue working towards a clean energy future. It’s an exciting time for nuclear.”
To review Bruce Power’s 2020 Ontario Energy Report click here.
About Bruce Power
Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable, low-cost nuclear power to families and businesses across the province. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Source: Bruce Power