NB Power Plans Medical Isotope Production at Point Lepreau

The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station in New Brunswick is set to potentially expand its operations beyond electricity generation. During a media tour on March 14, 2024, executives from NB Power unveiled plans to explore the production of medical radioisotopes on-site. These isotopes play a crucial role in the medical field, particularly in diagnostics, cancer treatments, and sterilization of medical equipment.

Lori Clark, president and CEO of NB Power, emphasized Canada’s status as a global leader in isotope production, both for medical and industrial applications. Notably, Point Lepreau stands out as the only facility in Canada capable of producing these resources outside of Ontario. Clark expressed optimism about the potential revenue this initiative could generate, stating, “It’s really early days, but we’re very optimistic that there is a revenue stream that will come back to New Brunswickers and to our customers.”

The financial impact could be significant, with estimates suggesting that isotope production might yield “tens of millions of dollars annually,” depending on technical evaluations and partnerships.

Operational Changes and Economic Benefits

To facilitate isotope production, the facility would need to implement minor modifications to its CANDU 6 reactor. Importantly, the plant could continue to operate while these changes are underway, adopting methods similar to those used in Ontario facilities. NB Power has established an “isotope team” comprised of existing staff to devise a strategy for production and assess its economic benefits.

Steve Bagshaw, the Point Lepreau site vice-president and chief nuclear officer, highlighted the lifesaving potential of medical isotopes, noting that many individuals have been affected by cancer. He stated, “Pursuing medical isotope harvesting at Point Lepreau to support lifesaving treatments is a significant opportunity for Canadians and for global health care while also offering potential revenue and economic benefits for New Brunswick.”

While the initiative appears promising, it raises concerns given the facility’s recent history of lengthy shutdowns. The last operational pause ended on December 15, 2023, two weeks behind schedule after a five-month planned outage. Unplanned outages due to parts replacement have also plagued the facility. Point Lepreau has operated only 27 percent of the time during the 2024-25 fiscal year, leading to costs of approximately $1 million to $1.5 million per day for replacement power and repairs during downtime.

Ensuring Stability for Future Production

When questioned about the necessity of prioritizing stable operations over new production initiatives, Clark assured that recent investments have been made to enhance reliability and stability at the facility. “That’s the foundation for making medical isotopes; you have to have stable production from the facility,” she explained. “This is an opportunity now that we have that stable and sustainable production from the facility to look at what else we can do to help manage the cost increases that we see coming as a utility and the rate increases that we see coming.”

The modifications required for isotope production will coincide with scheduled outages, with the next one planned for 119 days starting in April 2024. This dual approach aims to ensure that any enhancements do not disrupt the facility’s primary function while exploring new revenue streams to alleviate rising costs for consumers.

As NB Power advances these plans, the potential for Point Lepreau to contribute to global health care while providing financial benefits to the local community remains a focal point of discussion among stakeholders.