New Brunswick to test emergency plans
Canada's nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), requires a full-scale exercise takes place every three years to test the province's readiness in response to a large-scale emergency. Synergy Challenge 2018, which will take place over 3-4 October, will be the first time a Canadian nuclear power plant has entered the recovery phase of an exercise focused on the final stage of emergency management.
About 1000 people representing more than 35 agencies and organisations are expected to take part in the multi-tier and multi-jurisdiction event, which will test emergency preparedness, response and recovery capabilities, decision-making and collaborative effectiveness among NB Power, NBEMO and emergency response partners. It aims to validate current on-site and off-site nuclear emergency plans.
The exercise will incorporate knowledge gained from Exercise Intrepid, the province's last full-scale nuclear emergency exercise which took place in 2015. It will also consider operating experience from other nuclear power plant exercises and lessons learned from recent recovery efforts in New Brunswick.
Point Lepreau, a single-unit 680 MWe pressurised heavy-water plant, began commercial operation in 1983. As well as being the first Candu 6 to begin commercial operation, it was also the first reactor of that design to undergo full refurbishment in a four-year project completed in 2012. It is currently licensed to operate until 2022.