I think that future electricity needs require us to explore this sector. However, I hope our leaders will also focus on exploring what might be called “every consumer autonomy”, where we would encourage the installation of solar panels and batteries for every residence at great reinforcement of subsidies or tax credits. Not only would this avenue be beneficial for citizens, but it would also allow them to sell their surplus to Hydro, and thus each individual effort would support the energy transition.
Pierre-Olivier Pineau once spoke of “energy intoxication” in Quebec. As we quickly approach the average consumption of the French, would we still need new dams as well as the resumption of operation of a nuclear power plant? Can you stay drunk and speak out against nuclear power? There is material for education and discussion. A guy like Francis Vailles deserves to be brought into this field.
In my opinion, it is totally irresponsible to relaunch this plant, or any other for that matter, since they are not without danger, we have seen in Japan what it can do. With climate change, who can guarantee us that nothing like this can happen to us? And then what will we do with all this radioactive waste? We will pollute yet another area. So, my answer to me is no, we must never return to this source of energy.
The CAQ deputies in Mauricie–Centre-du-Québec should press to forget this project because otherwise, in the next provincial election, they will have to find a new job. We got rid of nuclear power in the region with all its drawbacks related to emergency measures (in the event of an accident, the area to be protected goes all the way to La Tuque), and we can also talk about the information to be given to the population on iodine capsules, etc.
I believe that the fact that we only have one plant makes the cost of the sector prohibitive. This plant requires far too many personnel for the power generated.
I believe that at best, we should dismantle the existing equipment and possibly reuse the enclosures of the Gentilly-1 and 2 reactors to install new generation reactors of lower power such as what is under construction in Ontario.
The existing power plant has only one reactor and one turbine-generator group… This makes it susceptible to a complete production shutdown in the event of a single equipment failure.
Very good idea. In business, you always have to have a plan B and Mr. Sabia knows it. Quebec still has good potential to develop large reservoir and hydroelectric power station projects, but Hydro-Quebec will have to negotiate with demanding partners, the Aboriginal nations and Newfoundland and Labrador. It is therefore important to show them that alternatives exist to obtain the required 100 TWh over the next 30 years. In addition, nuclear energy does not produce GHGs. This is the technological choice made by Ontario and France, among others.
Hydro-Quebec sold electricity at a discount to the Americans and now they want to reopen this plant by making us believe that our needs will increase? Bravo for the energy inefficiency of this company which has not properly maintained its lines and even less taken into account the studies concerning it. It would be appropriate for this company to revise its methods.
I live in Bécancour. I do not want it. The whole population was joyful when the closure was announced. It is no longer in the projects of Quebec for a long time. I would rather have dozens of wind turbines than nuclear.
I am a nuclear engineer, former worker and manager of the Gentilly-2 nuclear power plant for more than 20 years. To refurbish and relaunch the G2 plant in 2023 would be foolish and irresponsible folly. This plant, designed with technology from the 1960s and 1970s, is old and in the process of being dismantled. The costs would be astronomical (4 billion in 2012) and the reliability of the operation questionable. No serious expert can recommend restarting this plant, regardless of the renovation work to be carried out.
Reviving nuclear in Quebec? Unthinkable given that the social acceptability of nuclear power in Quebec is nil, or almost nil. The last nail in this energy sector was planted in 2012 by the dogmatic decision to close the plant. Exit nuclear power in Quebec.
But if we want to revive this sector, we have to act quickly, and it is probably too late if we want to take advantage of what remains of nuclear expertise in Quebec. An expertise that was expensive to develop in the 1970s and 1980s and that the 2012 decision simply dispersed and eliminated…
Despite everything, if a serious nuclear revival project were to start in the short term, I would be the first to offer my services and embark on this project again, because nuclear energy is essential in the short and medium term to save the planet from global warming.
