PETERBOROUGH, ON, Nov.10, 2015 /CNW/ - Bruce Power and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada (GEH-C), have entered into an agreement that will see the two companies explore new areas of collaboration with a particular focus on innovation and the continued enhancement of the industry-leading performance at the world's largest operating nuclear generating facility.
"We look forward to building on our relationship with GEH-C as both organizations place tremendous value on innovation, and it is through this approach, we will continue to be an important source of Ontario's electricity supporting the broader economy, including here in Peterborough," said Duncan Hawthorne, president and CEO, Bruce Power. "Ontario's Long-Term Energy Plan is counting on Bruce Power's eight units to help power the province for decades to come, and this means affordable electricity for families and businesses along with ongoing positive economic impacts."
With facilities in Peterborough, Toronto and Arnprior, GEH-C provides approximately 350 jobs to skilled workers – about 250 of those in Peterborough. GEH-C has over 55 years of extensive experience and innovation in the supply of nuclear fuel and fuel channel components, services, equipment and parts for the CANDU nuclear power industry including designing and supplying highly reliable nuclear equipment to fuel, inspect, and refurbish reactors.
"A strong role for clean, affordable, reliable nuclear power will help sustain a highly-trained workforce and a robust, diversified economy, which is important to communities across Ontario," said Mark Ward, president and CEO, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada. "We're proud to be a long-term, strategic supplier to Bruce Power and we look forward to continuing our relationship for many years to come by embracing innovation."
The two companies have a long history of delivering positive results through collaboration and innovation, including the development of the ground breaking Bruce Reactor Inspection and Maintenance System (BRIMS). The BRIMS automated tooling system was the result of a multi-company collaboration involving Bruce Power, GEH-C, ATS Automation, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., BWXT Canada Ltd. and Candu Energy Inc. a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group.
"Our government is committed to the Long Term Energy Plan and this means these kind of strong partnerships will continue as we look to nuclear to provide a reliable source of affordable and clean electricity for our families and businesses," said Jeff Leal, MPP for Peterborough. "I'm very proud of the important role GEH-C plays in Peterborough and the commitment to innovation right here in our own backyard."
The memorandum of understanding, signed today by the two company presidents, identifies a number of areas of potential collaboration which aim to assist Bruce Power in its ongoing operations and outage improvement programs.
About Bruce Power
Bruce Power operates the world's largest operating nuclear generating facility and is the source of roughly 30 per cent of Ontario's electricity. The company's site in Tiverton, Ontario is home to eight CANDU reactors, each one capable of generating enough low-cost, reliable, safe and clean electricity to meet the annual needs of a city the size of Hamilton. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an all-Canadian partnership among Borealis Infrastructure Management (a division of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System), TransCanada, the Power Workers' Union and the Society of Energy Professionals. A majority of Bruce Power's employees are also owners in the business.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com
SOURCE Bruce Power
Image with caption: "Bruce Power (CNW Group/Bruce Power)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151110_C4768_PHOTO_EN_541232.jpg
Image with caption: "GE (CNW Group/Bruce Power)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151110_C4768_PHOTO_EN_541234.jpg
John Peevers, Manager of Investor & Media Relations, Bruce Power, 519-361-6583, [email protected]; Sara Forsey, Manager, Community Relations & Communications, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada, 705.748.7545, [email protected]
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