Faced with the enormous energy needs necessary for the electrification of society, assessing the feasibility and costs of resuming activities at the Gentilly-2 nuclear power plant is useful, if only to confirm the costs of such a scenario. , believes a professor specializing in energy.
“Michael Sabia has already explained that he has an open mind. We are evaluating various possible options to increase the production of clean electricity, explains Francis Labbé, spokesperson for Hydro-Québec in an email. It would be irresponsible at this time to exclude certain energy sectors and premature to draw conclusions. Regarding the Gentilly-2 generating station, an assessment of the current state of the generating station is underway, in order to assess our options and inform our reflections on the future energy supply of Quebec. »
The Journal de Montreal had revealed the news Thursday morning.
Nuclear energy has advantages, says HEC professor and holder of the Chair in Energy Sector Management Pierre-Olivier Pineau. “Its GHG-free production is stable: no intermittency like wind or solar,” he says. It is also very concentrated geographically and with little impact on the landscapes. If the Quebec population wants to avoid multiplying wind farms, nuclear power could be chosen. »
It also has its drawbacks like radioactive waste and cost. Mr. Pineau points out that the government of Pauline Marois had closed the plant because of the high cost that its rehabilitation would have entailed.
“More than 12¢/kWh according to Hydro-Québec in 2011, recalls the academic. In 2023, I don’t see how these costs could go down: we have started dismantling and everything costs more in construction. I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with costs in excess of 15¢/kWh. »
Despite the advantages of nuclear power, the professor is not convinced that the return to service of the plant represents the optimal scenario for Quebec.
“During this time, he continues, small modular reactors SMR will develop and their costs will be better known – we can therefore adopt them when other jurisdictions have experimented with this sector.
The news caused opposition parties to react. “It is worrying that Mr. Sabia and Mr. Fitzgibbon [Minister of Energy] want today to reopen the file without having the slightest demonstration that it is necessary to meet our ecological transition objectives and without the slightest public debate. , deplores Haroun Bouazzi, deputy for Maurice-Richard and spokesperson for the second opposition in terms of economy and energy. We learn the news without the government even having presented the beginnings of the embryo of an energy transition plan. »
The Liberal critic on the matter, Marc Tanguay, is also asking for a consultation. “The return to nuclear power is a huge decision and it is imperative to hear from Quebecers and experts before moving forward. It is unacceptable that our nation’s energy future is being decided behind closed doors, behind closed doors,” he said in a statement.
The debate would also have the advantage of gauging social acceptability. During the debate surrounding the refurbishment of Gentilly-2, from 2077 to 2012, the Artistes pour la paix – which brought together personalities opposed to nuclear power such as Raoul Duguay and Diane Dufresne, according to its website – had led a campaign for its closure. The band did not respond to our interview request.
At the local level, Mr. Pineau does not see this as a major issue. “Bécancour would be an ideal place for nuclear: it is in an industrial park that we want to develop more. It would therefore be a very local supply for industries. It is also certain that it would be easier to build on a site that has already hosted a power plant, rather than to develop a new site. »
Mayor Lucie Allard does not give an interview on the subject. In a written statement, she said she was aware of the article regarding the feasibility study on the revival of the Gentilly 2 nuclear power plant. it had been mentioned that the type of dismantling selected represented an irreversible option.
“The City is aware of the challenges that electricity can pose for the long-term growth of the industrial park, she continues, and considers it important that the Government of Quebec study different avenues to meet growing energy needs. »