Hydro-Québec is evaluating a restart of the Gentilly-2 nuclear reactor in Bécancour, Quebec, according to reports in the Canadian press and the power utility’s own social media.
Quebec Energy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon agreed with Hydro-Québec’s decision to study a possible reopening of the province’s only nuclear plant, CBC News reported.
The utility is looking at restarting Gentilly-2 as a response to growing energy demand and the need for clean energy. Hydro-Québec said it would be “irresponsible at this time” to exclude certain energy sectors like nuclear.
In 2012 the Québec government announced that it would be retiring Gentilly‑2 rather than take on the cost of refurbishment.
Gentilly‑2 had an installed capacity of 675 MW and is equipped with a CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) reactor. It was commissioned in 1983,
The plant is located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, about halfway between Montreal and Quebec City.
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