NB Power says the Mactaquac Dam may be in better shape than originally thought, as it ponders the future of the largest hydroelectric dam in the Maritimes.
It was believed expansion issues inside the concrete structure would end its service life prematurely, perhaps as soon as 2030.
On Friday, NB Power said more detailed modelling of the dam showed it had better structural integrity than initially thought.
“This improved understanding has provided NB Power with greater confidence in the potential for alternative approaches to allow Mactaquac to generate electricity beyond 2030, perhaps even to its original 100-year service life,” said NB Power in a statement.
NB Power says it’s now looking at two approaches for the dam’s future:
- Remove and replace concrete in the most affected parts of the station, replacing or repairing certain mechanical and electrical equipment.
- Stabilize and replace some concrete in the most affected parts of the station, replacing or repairing certain mechanical and electrical equipment, and periodically re-adjusting the position of the equipment.
NB Power will hold another round of community meetings later this month to update the situation.
The Mactaquac Dam supplies about 12 per cent of New Brunswick’s electricity and began generating power in 1968.
The utility says it will make a final decision on the dam’s future by the end of this year.
