New Brunswick’s energy minister emphasized the urgency of expanding nuclear power generation in the province over investing more time and taxpayer funds in local reactor development for economic growth. Rene Legacy highlighted the distinction between energy security, which is the province’s current priority, and economic development, handled by Opportunities New Brunswick.
Legacy suggested the possibility of acquiring Ontario-made reactors recently backed by $3 billion in public funding, rather than waiting on reactors from ARC Clean Energy or Moltex, originally planned for construction at Point Lepreau. N.B. Power indicated that neither ARC nor Moltex would be operational by 2030, contrasting with the expected online status of the GE-Hitachi reactor in Darlington, Ontario.
Legacy expressed caution against investing in first-of-a-kind technology due to its high costs, emphasizing New Brunswick’s technology-neutral stance, preferring proven technologies. Despite significant government funding since 2018, the current government shifted away from supporting ARC and Moltex, prioritizing energy security over cutting-edge technology advancement.
Green Leader David Coon criticized the use of small modular reactor (SMR) technology in New Brunswick, advocating for avoiding it altogether, even if it means not recovering public investments in ARC and Moltex. Coon likened the situation to investing in a car beyond repair, leading to eventual abandonment.
An agreement between Ontario and New Brunswick outlined plans to enhance the performance of the existing nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau. New Brunswick committed to paying a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation $25 million annually for three years, with additional performance bonuses contingent on meeting specified targets.