The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has approved higher intermediate operating levels for both the Bruce A and Bruce B nuclear generating stations.
Under the amended licensing basis, Bruce A can now operate at up to 95.5 per cent of full power, compared with the previous limit of 92.5 per cent.
Bruce B has been authorized to operate at up to 96 per cent of full power, up from 93 per cent.
The CNSC announced the decision Monday following a review that included submissions from Bruce Power, commission staff and 13 intervenors.
The federal regulator said it determined Bruce Power remains qualified to carry out the licensed activities under the amended operating basis and that protections for public health, safety and the environment remain in place.
The approval changes the licensing basis for the two stations, but does not amend Bruce Power's operating licences.
Bruce A and B are located on the Lake Huron shoreline in the Municipality of Kincardine and together form the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.
The higher limits could allow Bruce Power to generate more electricity from its existing units, although the CNSC did not include an estimate in its announcement of how much additional power could be produced.
The commission's full record of decision has not yet been posted publicly.
