OTTAWA – The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has announced its authorizing activities to restart the Point Lepreau Generating Station.

The nuclear plant has been offline for more than four years as part of a lengthy refurbishment.

The CNSC says the station will not produce electricity at this stage, but will restart the reactor in order to perform several safety tests under the oversight of nuclear safety staff.

It says NB Power will require further regulatory approvals to increase power above 0.1% of full power and above 35% of full power.

Point Lepreau had its licence renewed for a five-year period back in February.