Bruce and Framatome sign CAD18.7 million MoU

03 December 2018

Bruce Power and Framatome have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on innovative modernisations for the Bruce A and Bruce B power plants as part of the Canadian facility's Life Extension Programme.

From left to right: Nicolas Fehrenbach, president and CEO of Framatome Canada, Framatome CEO Bernard Fontana, Bruce CEO Mike Rencheck and Framatome CEO Gary Mignogna mark Framatome's support for the Bruce life extension. Framatome has expanded its Kincardine office in order to support the Bruce programme (Image: Framatome)

The MoU, which is worth CAD18.7 million (USD14.2 million), covers a range of innovations and new activities, including operational improvements for the nuclear reactors.

Framatome will design and implement Bruce Power’s filtered containment venting systems, an inherently safe technology to prevent the build-up of excessive pressure while safely releasing hydrogen and capturing fission products under accident conditions. Once fully installed and tested, these innovations will mitigate offsite planning needs and enable longer-term operational improvements, the companies said.

Framatome will also provide services for transformers and other high-voltage components as a part of the high-voltage maintenance programme, and will remain a key player on the steam generator replacement team at Bruce unit 6.

Bruce Power's Life-Extension Programme, which started in January 2016, will include refurbishments of Bruce units 3-8, beginning with unit 6 in 2020. The programme will allow the plant to continue operating until 2064.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News