Tiverton, ON: Bruce Power and BWXT Canada Ltd. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding December 5 to commence the process for steam generator design and manufacturing with BWXT Canada’s facility in Cambridge, Ontario. The signing of the MOU follows yesterday’s announcement that Bruce Power will advance a long-term, incremental life extension program.
Cambridge-based BWXT Canada, a subsidiary of BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), has supplied all steam generators installed at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station since the station went online in 1977. The MOU will address the supply of replacement steam generators for the four Bruce B Units, starting with Unit 6, which will go offline for refurbishment starting in 2020. Each Bruce B Unit will require the manufacturing of eight steam generators as part of Bruce Power’s life extension program. The supply of eight steam generators per unit will result in more than 350,000 engineering and labour hours for BWXT Canada said John MacQuarrie, President, BWXT Canada.
The cost of steam generators for the first Unit will be determined through this process but is expected to total between $400- 500 million for all 32 steam generators across the Bruce B Units, all of which will be advanced incrementally as these long-lead components are required for the refurbishment program. The final cost will be determined through this process and will take into account a number of factors including pricing of materials and timing.
“The deal Bruce Power signed with the province yesterday has kick-started one of the largest infrastructure investment programs in Canada, and the people of Ontario will reap the benefits through a strong economy and well-paying, highly skilled careers,” Bruce Power CEO Duncan Hawthorne said. “The steam generator replacement program is integral to our refurbishments, and BWXT Canada is a key player in our future successes. I look forward to working with the people at BWXT Canada for many years.”