NB Power Seeks Community Input on Future of Mactaquac Generating Station

A series of community-based dialogue sessions in May about the future of Mactaquac Generating Station are the next step in a public discussion launched last fall with two draft reports, open houses and an online survey.

“We understand that any course of action regarding Mactaquac has deep and far-reaching consequences for all New Brunswickers,” says NB Power President and CEO Gaëtan Thomas. “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of New Brunswickers and others who have shared their stories, insights and concerns about this project. Your feedback is an essential part of the process and will inform our recommendation later this year.”

The Mactaquac Generating Station is expected to reach the end of its service life by 2030, because of expansion problems with its concrete structures. NB Power has identified three possible end-of-life options:

• build a new generating station
• remove all structures to allow the river to return to a natural flow
• leave the dam in place but without power generation

Since 2014, scientists, engineers and other experts have been studying the potential impacts of the three end-of-life options on people and the environment, including First Nations. NB Power also continues to examine the potential for solutions to the concrete problem that may extend the life of the station beyond 2030. NB Power will recommend a future path for the station in 2016.

Mactaquac Generating Station is a 670 megawatt run-of-the-river hydro generating station on the Saint John River in Mactaquac, about 19 km west of Fredericton. The station was commissioned in 1968 with three turbine-generating units, and provides renewable electricity. An additional three turbines were brought into service in 1972, 1979 and 1980.

The May dialogue sessions are scheduled for

• Fredericton on May 17
• Mactaquac on May 18
• Woodstock on May 19

Find out more: https://www.nbpower.com/en/about-us/news-media-centre/news/2016/mactaquac-conversation-continues-with-discussion-paper-community-sessions/.