Fuel channels in place at Bruce A1

Wednesday, 4 May 2011 Bruce Power has celebrated the completion of fuel channel installation in the refurbishment of the Bruce A1 nuclear power reactor. The horizontal pressure tubes are designed to hold 12 bundles of natural uranium fuel, with complex end pieces to allow online refuelling. There are 480 in total at the 750 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor which is expected to return to power generation early next year. Unit 2 at Bruce A is undergoing the same work offset by a few months. Bruce A3 and 4 were brought back into service in 2003 and 2004 after being  laid up for a few years. Four more reactors operate at the adjacent Bruce B power plant in Ontario, Canada.