In search of a massive dose of energy, Hydro-Québec’s new boss, Michael Sabia, initiates a feasibility study the coming back of the Gentilly 2 nuclear power plant, which has been decommissioned since 2012.
• Also read: Gentilly 2: Almost 10 years since cessation of operations
Michael Sabia is looking for energy to meet the growing demands of the Quebec government. In addition to hydropower, wind power and the energy transition, the state-owned company could also switch to nuclear power.
Sophie Brochu’s successor has therefore just made his first major decision: he has asked his team to carry out a feasibility study on how to restart the decommissioned Gentilly 2 power plant in Bécancour, as our Parliament office has learned.
Photo archive, Pierre-Paul Poulin
Hydro employees have been informed of this request by the CEO.
However, Hydro agrees that the type of dismantling chosen at the time must be irreversible. However, the national group would like to clarify.
“Yes, we are looking into whether there is a way back given the decommissioning of this facility,” confirmed Francis Labbé of Media Relations at Hydro-Québec, noting that this is a first step.
“We are in a situation over the coming years where we will need huge terawatt hours to meet the demand we anticipate in Quebec. We’ve gotten to a point where we want to review all the options in front of us, including this one.
For Quebec to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, more than 100 TWh of additional clean electricity will be needed, the government company recalls.
When he took office, the new CEO left the door to nuclear power open, just like Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon before him.
Expensive repair
After her election in 2012, the PQ government of Pauline Marois had abandoned the power station’s rehabilitation project and announced the end of production of 635 megawatts.
Hydro wanted to carry out major renovations to the reactor and turbogenerator there.
Andréanne Lemire/QMI Agency
The national group also wanted to expand its facilities for the disposal of radioactive waste.
“There were large investments, amounting to several billion dollars, and in the context of the time, it was decided to close the plant’s activities,” recalls Mr. Labbé.
After the earthquake in Japan, which severely hit the Fukushima power plant, nuclear fears also prevailed.
billion dollars
For more than 10 years, Hydro-Québec has committed approximately US$80 million towards the nuclear power plant’s decommissioning. The nuclear fuel from the plant was also stored.
The declassification phase should be completed this year before the complex is put into hibernation by 2057. Only after this process should the dismantling of the site begin.
The director of the Gentilly 2 nuclear power plant, Patrice Desbiens, told TVA nouvelles last year that Quebec would have to build a new plant if it reversed its decision.
A plan that could now be reviewed as Hydro-Quebec looks to bank on the nuclear power plant to boost its electricity production.
“We must examine what can be done (…) We have a responsibility to examine all possibilities to meet the demand,” said Mr. Labbé. “The idea is to create an inventory of the facilities to document whether it is conceivable or simply impossible to start up again.”
The Gentilly-2 nuclear power plant in brief
-Opened in 1983 in Bécancour on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River
-800 workers
– Maximum output of 635 megawatts of clean energy
– Estimated cost of refurbishing the facility: approximately $3 billion in 2012
-Jean Charest’s government considered a possible repair, but after the autumn 2012 election, Pauline Marois’ Parti Québécois closed the plant
-End of release planned for 2023
-End of mining planned for 2064
Can you share information about this story with us?
Write to us or call us directly at 1-800-63SCOOP.