NB Power Recommends Maintaining Mactaquac Generating Station
FREDERICTON – New Brunswick Power is recommending a project to maintain the Mactaquac Generating Station to last its intended lifespan of approximately 2068.
The generating station currently has a premature end-date of around 2030 due to a chemical reaction in its concrete, which causes it to crack and swell. NB Power began consulting in 2013 with engineers, scientists, stakeholders, the public and First Nations on potential future options. The options included building a new station, removing all structures except for the earthen dam and spillway, or removing all structures and restoring the Saint John River to a natural flow. In spring 2016, the option to maintain the station was added after detailed studies of the concrete revealed better structural integrity than previously thought.
Tuesday’s recommendation follows a fact-based decision process involving NB Power’s board of directors, balancing environmental, social, technical and cost considerations. The company says it also had extensive consultation with First Nations.
“We believe we have made a sound decision about Mactaquac that makes good business sense, meets the present and future needs of New Brunswick’s changing power grid and reflects the values of New Brunswickers,” said Ed Barrett, chair of NB Power’s board of directors in a release. “As a public utility, we clearly understand that any course of action regarding Mactaquac has deep and lasting consequences. Maintaining the station will allow NB Power future flexibility while we meet our financial and environmental goals and continue to provide safe, reliable energy at low and stable rates.”
In the coming months, NB Power says it will seek appropriate environmental approvals with the province and follow application and review processes for financial approvals to be determined by the Energy and Utilities Board (EUB).
The project will include extending the life of existing concrete facilities through a modified approach to maintenance and replacing equipment over time. The project will not require a new public river crossing and will cost between $2.9 to $3.6 billion.