Hydro-Québec looks at reopening nuclear plant | Winnipeg Free Press
Hydro-Québec looks at reopening nuclear plant | Winnipeg Free Press
MONTREAL – Quebec’s hydroelectric utility is studying whether to reopen the province’s only nuclear power generating station as a response to a growing demand for clean energy. Hydro...
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Why was it closed in the first place?
In 2012, the provincial government under then-premier Pauline Marois accepted Hydro-Québec’s recommendation to close Gentilly-2, in part because of the high cost of refurbishing the plant.
“More than 10 years later, costs can only go up because we’ve started dismantling the plant,” Pineau explained in an interview. An increase in construction costs in the last decade means “the nuclear bill could turn out to be very high,” he said.
HQ has a capacity of 36 GW on hydro and thermal alone. When closed, Gentily-2 had a capacity around 675 MW. A drop in the portfolio. The cost of refurbishment was very high, so it was closed.
My assumption is that Gentily-2 is being considered for export sales only; because I don't then the capitalisation on a plant could be done at heritage (HQ domestic consumer) rates.
Edit: such to say, I think this will have little impact on Quebec's energy portfolio, but may help her export clients (Ontario, NE USA, Atlantic Canada) go greener. I'm not familiar with their portfolios.