NB Power wants to maintain the Mactaquac dam until its intended lifespan of 2068, at a cost of $2.9 to $3.6 billion dollars.
The dam was approaching a premature end in 2030 because of problems with the concrete.
However, at today’s announcement the Crown corporation says the concrete facilities will have their lifespan extended through a modified approach to maintenance and replacing equipment over time.
We’ve chosen a path forward for the Mactaquac Generating Station. Read about it here: https://t.co/FCqqe2jGho pic.twitter.com/HqrRmfVwCp
— NB Power (@NB_Power) December 20, 2016
NB Power says the option they are recommending meets all safety requirements and has the lowest cost estimate out of all four possibilities.
In the coming months, the corporation will be seeking appropriate environmental approvals to go ahead.
If they get approval, the majority of the work is expected to take place between 2020 and 2036.
Details of the project are below.