FREDERICTON – The refurbishment of the Point Lepreau generating station is finally complete.

NB Power announced today that the nuclear plant has resumed commercial operations, about four-and-a-half years after the project began.

The plant was taken offline in March 2008 for what was supposed to be a $1.4-billion overhaul over an 18-month period.

But the project was delayed numerous times and cost an extra billion dollars to complete.

NB Power president Gaetan Thomas says the plant should last another 27 years.

“Point Lepreau is fundamental to achieving our goal of having 75 per cent of New Brunswick’s electricity
coming from clean, renewable or non-emitting sources by 2020,” said Craig Leonard, Minister of Energy
and Mines. “Further, with Point Lepreau back online, NB Power now has greater export sales
opportunities. These, combined with the cost reductions that have been made, will keep power rates low
and stable for the foreseeable future.”

“Tests and monitoring will continue through the early weeks of commercial operation to ensure that all
aspects of the facility are working as intended and responding appropriately as part of the electricity
system,” said Thomas.