Electricity Generation In New Brunswick

New Brunswick has a diversified energy supply mix, with a total generating capacity of 4,415 Megawatts (MW). The province's electricity is generated by a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources, including hydropower stations, wind farms, thermal plants, combustion turbines, biomass facilities, and the only nuclear station in Atlantic Canada. The primary utility company, NB Power, generates most of the province's electricity and operates a mix of hydro, coal, oil, and diesel-powered stations. In addition to NB Power, there are independent power producers that operate wind, biomass, natural gas, hydro, and other renewable energy facilities.

Nuclear power

The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station has been operational since 1983 and is owned and operated by NB Power, the provincially owned public utility. The facility consists of a single CANDU nuclear reactor with a net capacity of 660 MW and a gross capacity of 705 MW. In 2018, the station generated 4,874 gigawatt-hours (GWh) or 39.3% of New Brunswick's total electricity generation.

The construction of the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station was a significant project that faced several challenges. The project was discussed since the late 1950s, and formal talks between the provincial and federal governments began in 1972. Financing was a major issue until the federal government announced a loan program in 1974 to cover half the costs of the first nuclear plant in any province. The construction was completed in 1981, and the reactor achieved criticality in 1982, beginning commercial operations in 1983. The total cost of construction was estimated at C$1.4 billion, excluding interest charges.

In 2008, the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station underwent a refurbishment that lasted until 2012. The refurbishment faced several challenges, including technical glitches, delays, and incidents. The final refurbishment cost was approximately $1 billion over its original budget. Despite these challenges, the station achieved record levels of availability, with a 10-year average of 93.11% and generated over 5,000 GWh/year of energy on a sustained basis for its first decade of operations.

In recent years, there have been plans to expand nuclear power generation in New Brunswick. In 2018, the government committed funds toward the establishment of an advanced Small Modular Reactor Research Cluster, with plans to develop small modular reactors at the Point Lepreau site. NB Power, in collaboration with ARC Clean Technology Inc. (ARC), is planning to construct and operate one advanced small modular reactor (SMR) at the Lepreau Peninsula, west of the existing Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. The SMR is expected to connect to the New Brunswick grid in 2030 and operate for 60 years, generating at least 100 megawatts of electricity.

Fossil fuels

New Brunswick has a diversified energy mix, and fossil fuels play a crucial role in ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to the province. The main fossil fuel power stations in New Brunswick include the Bayside Generating Station, Belledune Generating Station, Coleson Cove Generating Station, Grand Manan Generating Station, Millbank Generating Station, and Sainte-Rose Generating Station. These stations, along with others, contribute to the province's fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity.

The use of fossil fuels for electricity generation has been a subject of environmental concern due to the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2018, New Brunswick's electricity sector emitted 3.7 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e) and had a generation intensity of 290 grams of CO2e per kilowatt-hour. While the province has been transitioning to renewable sources, fossil fuels continue to play a significant role in meeting the province's energy demands.

In recent years, there has been a decline in the use of certain fossil fuel sources for electricity generation in New Brunswick. For example, the generation of electricity from oil and diesel-based facilities has decreased. This is part of a broader trend towards lower-emission sources, as New Brunswick aims to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix.

Looking forward, New Brunswick is expected to continue balancing its energy needs with environmental considerations. While fossil fuels will likely remain a part of the energy mix, the province is committed to reducing emissions and increasing the utilization of renewable sources, such as wind, biomass, and hydroelectricity.

Hydroelectricity

In a hydro station, water falls down a chute, known as a penstock, and flows over the blades of a turbine. The falling water turns the blades, which are attached to magnets by the generator shaft. The spinning blades then turn these magnets, creating electricity in the wire coils.

There are two major types of hydroelectric dams: conventional dams and run-of-the-river dams. Conventional dams store a large reservoir of water behind them and allow some water to pass through. The raised water level, called the head of the dam, provides the potential energy required for the water to flow through the dam. As the water passes through, it spins a turbine to generate electricity. A variation on this type of dam is a pumped-storage dam, where water from the reservoir is pumped through a turbine to generate electricity, instead of relying on the energy provided by the head.

On the other hand, run-of-the-river dams are designed for the regular flow rate of the river, instead of creating a reservoir. Variations on this type of dam are used for micro-hydro generating stations, which divert a section of the normal river through a turbine before it rejoins the main waterway.

Wind power

New Brunswick has a diversified energy supply mix, with wind power contributing significantly to its renewable energy portfolio. Between 2010 and 2017, the province added a net of 107 MW of renewable capacity, with wind power accounting for 99 MW of that increase. The development of wind farms and projects has been an essential part of New Brunswick's transition to cleaner energy sources.

One notable wind energy project is the Burchill Wind Energy Project in Saint John. This project, located about 15 kilometres from the city centre, stands as a symbol of the province's shift towards renewable energy. The Neqotkuk First Nation has invested $49 million in this project, which is expected to generate a $100-million windfall over its 25-year lifetime. With all ten turbines operational, the project can produce 42 megawatts of power, meeting about 15% of Saint John's energy needs.

Another significant wind farm is the Kent Hills Wind Farm, New Brunswick's first. It is located in the southeastern part of the province in Albert County and has a capacity of 96 MW. To connect this wind farm to the NB Power electrical grid, a new 28.5-km transmission line was constructed, running from the facility to the Salisbury terminal.

The Lamèque Wind Farm project is located on Lamèque Island in Gloucester County, in the northeast region of New Brunswick. This wind farm consists of 30 1.5 MW wind turbines spread across over 3,100 acres of property. NB Power signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with ACCIONA Energy to develop this 45 MW wind farm.

The Wisokolamson Energy Project, developed by the Woodstock First Nation and SWEB Development, is another addition to the province's wind energy capacity. This 18 MW renewable energy project is located 12 kilometres west of Riverside-Albert, and it began operations in 2019.

The Wocawson Energy Project, located in Kings County, approximately 20 kilometres northeast of Sussex, is a five-turbine wind farm with a capacity of 20 MW. This project was developed by the Tobique First Nation and Natural Forces, and it started supplying renewable energy to the New Brunswick grid in December 2020.

The Oinpegitjoig (Richibucto) Wind Project is a single-turbine wind energy project in Richibucto, New Brunswick, with a capacity of 3.8 MW. This project was developed by the Pabineau First Nation and Natural Forces, and it is part of NB Power's Embedded Generation Program, supplying energy to local homes and businesses in the area.

Through these wind energy projects, New Brunswick has successfully increased its renewable energy capacity and reduced its carbon emissions, contributing to the fight against global warming and creating a greener future for its communities.

Biomass

New Brunswick has three large-scale facilities that use woody biomass to generate electricity: Twin Rivers Paper (87.0 MW), Irving Pulp & Paper (30.0 MW), and AV Cell Inc. (17.6 MW). Some of these facilities are cogeneration plants that produce heat and electricity for reuse in the manufacturing process. The government of New Brunswick is committed to increasing the share of electricity from renewable sources, including biomass, and the province sees great potential in increasing the use of locally produced wood biomass to enhance energy independence, support local industries, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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