Gentilly-2, a nuclear reactor is shut down, after 29 years of operation, Hydro-Quebec begins its decommissioning.
A power plant shut down for 10 years
Gentilly-2, 10 years after the closure of the nuclear plant in Canada, the reactor is progressing in its decommissioning. The first stage of Gentilly-2 decommissioning was in September 2013. All the spent fuel bundles will be stored in a pool until 2020.
In 2016, the Organisation régionale de la sécurité civile Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec announced that the plant was no longer a risk. The external nuclear emergency response plan became unnecessary. In the same year, a new authorization for the dismantling of nuclear power plants, valid for 10 years, was granted.
As of October 2016, All 595 surplus employees were receiving reassignment within the company. 60% chose to stay in the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec regions. In 2017, the last two dry storage modules for spent fuel became operational.
Reallocation of $15.9 million in equipment
Finally, in December 2020, all spent fuel bundles had a dry storage site. As part of its decommissioning, Gentilly-2 is currently undergoing a transition to a storage-with-surveillance phase. Therefore, over the next 40 years, 15 employees will be responsible for monitoring radioactive activity and maintaining the site.
Hydro-Quebec will continue its efforts to reconfigure facility systems such as ventilation, electricity and water supply. This will make maintenance easier. Finally, Gentilly-2 is scheduled to complete its decommissioning in 2057.
Nevertheless, Hydro-Québec is studying the possibility of dismantling earlier than planned those buildings that contain little or no radioactive material. Early decommissioning would ensure that future generations would not have to bear the responsibility. This will also eliminate fire hazards and avoid maintenance of unused buildings.
