Energy Minister Jack Keir has acknowledged in the legislature that delays had bumped the cost of refurbishing the Point Lepreau reactor from $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion.

Delays in the $1.4-billion refurbishment of Atlantic Canada's only nuclear plant have doubled since January, when problems with the job were first outlined in detail, NB Power documents show.

Reports from the provincial utility show that removing the Point Lepreau reactor's radioactive calandria tubes — a key milestone in refurbishing the nuclear plant — won't be reached until mid-July, nearly seven months late.

That's double the delay officially announced by the utility last January, when NB Power president and chief executive officer David Hay said the project was three to four months behind schedule.

NB Power has acknowledged delays at Lepreau cost $20 million a month, but spokeswoman Heather MacLean said no one at the utility would be able to speak to the growing delays.

Earlier this month, Energy Minister Jack Keir acknowledged in the legislature that the delays had bumped the cost of the project from $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion.

The calandria tubes are the final radioactive pieces to be removed before the reactor shell can be inspected. If no problems are detected, new components can then be installed.

The 380 calandria tubes — which contain pressure tubes, which in turn hold the uranium fuel bundles — were originally scheduled to be pulled out last Christmas. But they remained in place as a series of problems slowed the job to half-speed through much of the spring.

NB Power reports show the first calandria tube was pulled in mid-June and the last one is expected to take until July 17, nearly seven months late.

Daniel Theriault, a Fredericton lawyer who has represented the public at NB Power rate hearings, said all new delays are a concern because they will eventually show up on customers' bills.

And he was critical of widespread assurances by utility, AECL and government officials that the nuclear renovation would be kept on time and on budget.

"You can't build a simple bungalow on time and on budget so you know it's pretty hard to do a $1.4- or $1.5-billion refurbishment on time and on budget," said Theriault.

"There are so many factors that are beyond your control."

1st Candu-6 reactor to be refurbished

Point Lepreau is the first Candu-6 reactor to undergo a complete gutting and rebuild. It was intended to be a showcase for AECL to display its ability to revive the 1980s-era reactors.

Bringing the refurbishment in on time and within its budget has been a constant refrain from both Keir and Hay.

The project started running into problems last October when two $10-million turbines were accidentally dropped into Saint John Harbour.

NB Power has hinted AECL is suffering losses because of the delays that are even greater than the utility's. AECL has declined to comment on the issue.