4 Jun (NucNet): Canada’s nuclear regulator says reactors at the Pickering nuclear power station will be allowed to operate beyond their stated design limit.
But the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has ordered station operator Ontario Power Generation to present further detailed information about the station’s risk improvement plan at a meeting in August 2014.
One of the six commercially operational reactors at Pickering would have had to shut down later this month had the commission not made its decision, released yesterday. Others are also nearing their limit.
The pressure tubes in the reactors – which hold the uranium fuel – have a design life of operating for 210,000 “equivalent full power hours” (EFPH).
The decision authorises OPG to proceed with operation of the Pickering facility beyond 210,000 EFPH, up to 247,000 EFPH.
OPG wants to extend Pickering’s life to about 2020, but wants to do so without performing the expensive and lengthy task of replacing all the pressure tubes in the reactors.
Each reactor contains 380 to 390 pressure tubes, each one running through the heart of the reactor. Replacing them would take several years.
The station is licensed to operate until 2018, but must still meet interim requirements set by the commission.
In its summary decision, the commission grants the request to operate the reactors past the normal design life of the pressure tubes, but orders OPG to report back in August 2014 on safety measures at the station.
“The Commission requires increased monitoring, inspection and reporting by OPG and CNSC staff on the operation of the Pickering reactor units,” the decision says.
The commission said detailed reasons for its decision will be released in the future.
CNSC said the decision follows a public hearing held on 7 May 2014. During the hearing, CNSC received and considered submissions from OPG, the public and CNSC staff.
Pickering’s six units are all pressurised heavy water reactors of the Candu-500 type. There are also two shut-down units at the site.
