NB Power announces closure generating station

Dalhousie Generating Station Closure signals NB Power and New Brunswick shifting from uneconomic operations to decommissioning, with an Environmental Impact Assessment, staff reassignment, continued property taxes, and reliability-focused energy policy for ratepayers.

Fredericton, N.B. – Recently, NB Power announced that the Dalhousie Generating Station will be permanently closed.

Over the past two years, NB Power conducted a review in coordination with the Province of New Brunswick to find options to sustain the Station’s operation. This review included an assessment of potential alternative fuel sources such as coal gasification and a search for expressions of interest from new operators. "The results of our two-year review concluded that the continued operation of the Dalhousie Generating Station is no longer economically viable,” said Gaëtan Thomas, NB Power President and CEO. "NB Power’s mandate to provide reliable and cost effective electricity makes the closure of the Dalhousie Generating Station a necessity, and I am pleased that we have been able to do so with the least possible impact on our employees." "As a government we committed to leaving no stone unturned in our search to find an alternative use for the Dalhousie Generating Station," said Acting Energy Minister Craig Leonard. "I want to assure the people of Dalhousie that we looked at every option available but unfortunately, we have reached a point where it is no longer economically feasible or in the best interests of all New Brunswick ratepayers and businesses to continue the Station’s operation."

A full Environmental Impact Assessment will be conducted before NB Power begins to decommission the site. During decommissioning, which is expected to take approximately four years, NB Power will continue to pay the Station's full property taxes to the Town of Dalhousie.

The Station's remaining 25 staff members will continue to work at the Station during the decommissioning period and will gradually be reassigned within the NB Power organization, including roles supporting the Belledune initiative, as this work is completed.

"We would like to sincerely thank the people of Dalhousie who embraced us as a member of the community for more than 44 years," said Thomas. “We appreciate the long-standing relationship we have with the community of Dalhousie and I want to assure them that we will decommission the Station in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, following practices seen at Hydro-Québec facilities as well."

Related News

• Electricity Forum News

• Power Generation News