Canada’s Bruce Power and France’s Framatome on 30 November signed a CAD18.7 million ($14.2 million) memorandum of understanding for safety-related updates for Bruce Power's Life-Extension Programme. It covers a range of innovations and new activities, including operational improvements for its nuclear reactors.

Framatome will design and implement Bruce Power’s filtered containment venting systems, which prevent the build-up of excessive pressure while safely releasing hydrogen and capturing fission products under unlikely accident conditions.

Framatome will also support Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Programme through services for transformers and other high-voltage components as a part of the high-voltage maintenance programme, and will remain a key player on the steam generator replacement team to replace steam generators at unit 6 of the Bruce NPP. The Life-Extension Programme began in January 2016 and will include refurbishments of Bruce units 3-8, starting with unit 6 in 2020. The programme will allow the plant to continue operating until 2064.

Photo: Mike Rencheck, left, Bruce Power's President and CEO, shakes hands with Gary Mignogna, Framatome Inc.'s President and CEO during the signing ceremony (Credit: Bruce Power)