Attention Business Editors:

Organization of CANDU Industries applauds Hydro-Quebec's decision to refurbish Gentilly-2

    PICKERING, ON, Aug. 20 /CNW/ - The Organization of CANDU Industries (OCI)
applauds Hydro-Quebec's decision to refurbish the Gentilly-2 CANDU nuclear
power plant and stands ready to deliver the services and equipment required to
help ensure the success of this project.
    "The Gentilly-2 CANDU plant has been an important contributor to Quebec's
electricity supply for more than 25 years, and this refurbishment will extend
its production of reliable, low-cost electricity for another 25 years," says
OCI President and CEO Dr. Neil Alexander. "This type of work creates thousands
of new and exciting high quality, high-paying jobs and will provide career
opportunities for a talent pool of young Quebecers in their home province."
    The nuclear industry is on the verge of a dramatic expansion as countries
around the world take a fresh look at nuclear power as a reliable source of
safe power that has virtually no effect on climate change. Here in Canada,
refurbishment projects are already underway in New Brunswick and Ontario.
"Refurbishment projects provide great opportunities for local nuclear
equipment and service suppliers to help nuclear power plant operators realize
and maintain these benefits," says Vice President of BPR Engineering Inc.
Nuclear Power Division, Doug Hink.
    "A fully mobilized and efficient supply chain is critical to the success
of a large project such as a nuclear plant refurbishment," says Dr. Alexander.
"OCI's more than 100 Canadian companies have an impeccable reputation of
delivering parts and services consistently on-time and on-budget, and are
poised and ready to meet increased demand."

    About OCI

    The Organization of CANDU Industries (OCI) represents 107 Canadian
companies supplying goods & services for CANDU reactors in domestic & export
markets. OCI companies provide engineering services & manufactured components
for the CANDU industry and although it functions separately from design
authorities & utilities, OCI members participate in design, manufacture,
construction & commissioning of CANDU plants here at home and abroad.

For further information: Josh Turner, Trillium Corporate Communications
Inc., josh@trilliumpr.com, (416) 322-3030 ext. 232