Hydro-Québec studies possible reopening of Gentilly 2 nuclear reactor
Posted August 10, 2023 2:33 pm.
Last Updated August 10, 2023 2:35 pm.
Hydro-Québec says it is studying whether to reopen the province’s only nuclear power generating station.
The utility adds that as demand for electricity rises in the province, it is looking into restarting the Gentilly-2 reactor in Becancour, Que., on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River about halfway between Montreal and Quebec City.
The Hydro-Québec facility was shut down in 2012 by the provincial government after it reached the end of its service life and needed refurbishment.
But the utility says it would be “irresponsible” to exclude nuclear power as an option for meeting the growing energy needs of the province, adding that it is studying the current state of the facility.
Plusieurs informations circulent actuellement concernant #Gentilly-2. Rappelons que la demande en électricité propre augmentera de manière significative au cours des prochaines années, afin de décarboner l’économie du Québec, ce qui représente un défi immense. Une évaluation de… pic.twitter.com/LHL8ffIPYy
— Hydro-Québec (@hydroquebec) August 10, 2023
Hydro-Québec says the utility’s new president and CEO, Michael Sabia, has affirmed his openness to different options for generating power in light of the strong demand.
Gentilly-2 opened in 1983, operating with a CANDU reactor designed to produce up to 675 megawatts of electricity.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2023.
