If you live in the Saint John area, you rely on the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station for power. That station is now back in operation. N.B. Power reconnected the facility to the grid on September 26 following a shutdown caused by a radioactive isotope leak.

What Caused the Shutdown

The utility shut down the plant on September 11. Monitoring systems detected elevated levels of tritium inside the reactor building the day before. Tritium is a radioactive isotope found in the heavy water used to transfer heat from nuclear reactors.

Crews confirmed a heavy water leak on September 14. A small instrumentation line rubbed against structural steel and ruptured. This friction resulted in a spill of approximately 200 litres of heavy water.

Safety and Repairs

N.B. Power confirmed the incident posed no risk to staff, the public, or the environment. The utility stated the tritium was contained within the reactor building as designed.

The company took the station offline to safely complete the necessary maintenance. Workers repaired the leak, conducted extensive testing, and completed operational reviews before bringing the plant back online.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Point Lepreau reopen?

The station returned to operation on September 26.

What caused the leak at Point Lepreau?

An instrumentation line rubbed against structural steel, causing about 200 litres of heavy water to leak.

Was the public in danger?

No. N.B. Power stated the radioactive isotope was fully contained within the reactor building, posing no risk to the public or the environment.