Point Lepreau nuclear generating station back online after repairs

The Point Lepreau nuclear generating station, which has been offline since Aug. 7 for repairs, has now returned to full power.

The repowering began last Friday and the plantwas reconnected to the grid on Monday, NB Power announced on Tuesday.

Reheater components of the turbine system in the non-nuclear section have been repaired.

• Point Lepreau shut down again for repairs that could cost $10.5M
• NB Power quietly lowers Point Lepreau's output targets
• Point Lepreau operating at reduced capacity

Thecost of the work and replacement powerwas not immediately available, but was previously estimated at $10.5 million.

This was the plant's third shutdown in the last fewmonths and one of several since it came back online from a $1.4 billion, four-and-a-half yearrenovation in November 2012.

Problems with the turbine system also forced the plant offlinein early June.

Point Lepreauprovides 660 megawatts of electricity enough to power more than 333,000 homes per year.