Ontario advances plan to refurbish Pickering Nuclear Generating Station

The Government of Ontario announced it has approved Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to proceed with the Project Definition Phase, the next step toward refurbishing Pickering Nuclear Generating Station’s “B” units to secure more power and create thousands of jobs across the province. As part of the preparation for refurbishment, the government has authorized OPG to sign a $2.1 billion contract with CanAtom for early engineering and procurement to prepare for the execution of the Retube Feeder and Boiler Replacement Program, creating more than 2,400 jobs across the province.

“The Pickering Nuclear Generating Station has powered cities and towns across Ontario with affordable, reliable and zero-emissions electricity for more than fifty years, supporting thousands of jobs in the process,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is focused on delivering affordable energy, while we stand firm against the federal carbon tax. This refurbishment would protect those good paying jobs and provide the affordable and reliable power our province will need for decades to come.”

Once refurbished, Pickering would produce more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, equivalent to powering two million homes, to help meet increasing demand, driven by electrification and the province’s surging economic growth. Based on OPG’s preliminary schedule, the refurbishment is anticipated to be completed by the mid-2030s.

In addition to the work delivered by CanAtom, a joint venture of Aecon and AtkinsRéalis, the Retube Feeder and Boiler Replacement Program will be supported by BWXT Canada in Peterborough and Cambridge, Nutech in Arnprior, Cameco in Port Hope and NWI Precision in Toronto.

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OPG will now proceed with the Project Definition Phase of the project, which will last through 2026. The government is supporting OPG’s $4.1 billion budget for this phase of work, bringing the total investment to date in the project to $6.2 billion. OPG will complete a high-quality cost estimate and schedule for the project, progress detailed engineering, further procurement and contracting work, as well as develop a robust project execution plan. This extensive planning and preparation will help ensure the final project, if approved, is completed on time and on budget, consistent with the Darlington Refurbishment Project which is on-budget and ahead of schedule.

“Drawing on the shared experience of OPG, Aecon, AtkinsRéalis, labour unions and skilled tradespeople on the Darlington Refurbishment Project, we have set the stage for success as we prepare to refurbish Units 5-8 at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station,” said Nicolle Butcher, OPG president and CEO. “Pickering Nuclear Generating Station has a long history of helping power Ontario, and thanks to investments like this, will continue to do so for decades to come.”

OPG has also committed to spending $100 million with Indigenous companies over the life of the refurbishment project. This will ensure that local First Nations that host nuclear projects see the economic benefits including employment throughout the planning and execution of the project.

“CANDU technology, as Canada’s only domestically developed, large scale nuclear technology, is a source of national pride. With today’s announcement with the Ontario government, we are honoured to continue to play a leading role in every CANDU reactor life extension globally, and to again work with our trusted JV partner in Ontario, Aecon. The CANDU reactors at OPG—an operating fleet of eight in total—are indispensable to providing Ontario with energy security and reliable, clean power to millions of people. All while increasing reactor power output to help OPG meet the challenges of increased demand from a rising population, as well as a growing industrial manufacturing base,” said Joe St. Julian, president, Nuclear, AtkinsRéalis.

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“This contract award builds on the success of our joint venture on the Darlington refurbishment project and signifies OPG’s continued confidence in our team to refurbish their reactor fleet on-time, within budget and with an unwavering commitment to safety and quality. Aecon is proud to be playing an important role as the constructor on North America’s three largest nuclear refurbishment projects – providing future generations with clean, safe, reliable, and affordable electricity with the Government of Ontario,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO, Aecon Group Inc.

Featured image: Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. (OPG)

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