Pickering Nuclear Generating Station refurbishment will extend the life of four reactors by up to 38 years, creating some 30,500 jobs annually during construction and 7,500 jobs across Canada over its lifespan.
Major contracts worth $3 billion are to be awarded. The project will add $17 billion to Durham and Ontario economy, said a provincial statement.
Built with Canadian technology and a made-in-Ontario supply chain, the refurbishment is expected to contribute $41.6 billion to Canada’s GDP, with more than 90 per cent of project spending staying in Ontario and Canada, the province said.
Major contracts awarded to Ontario-based suppliers as part of this work include:
- Aecon Group Inc. and Candu Energy, an AtkinsRéalis company, for the execution phase of Pickering’s Unit 5 Retube, Feeder and Boiler Replacement (RFBR) project, valued at approximately $1.7 billion.
- Aecon Group Inc. and Siemens Energy Canada, for Turbine Generator Replacement, including the installation of 14 steam turbine rotors, full stator rewinds, the overhaul of four generators, the delivery of new auxiliary systems and a control and monitoring system valued at $1.3 billion.
Will Add $17bn To Durham, Ontario Economy
The refurbishment will generate more than $17 billion in economic activity across Durham Region and Ontario, creating opportunities for local businesses and communities. Building on Ontario’s world-class nuclear expertise and the lessons learned from the ahead-of-schedule, under-budget Darlington Refurbishment Project, a new 200,000-square-foot Retube, Feeder and Boiler Replacement Training and Mock-up facility will train more than 2,800 skilled trades workers ahead of refurbishment activities, strengthening Ontario’s workforce and made-in-Ontario nuclear supply chain.
Following the Ontario government’s approval of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) refurbishment plan, the Pickering B units (Units 5 to 8) will be removed from service by the end of September 2026. Once complete, the refurbished station will supply up to 2,200 megawatts (MW) of reliable, affordable power – enough to power 2.2 million homes. Refurbishment will include replacing 1,520 fuel channels, 48 boilers and construction of a 1.5-kilometre deep-water intake. With site construction beginning Monday, reactor refurbishment work will begin pending final approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in January 2027.
Trump Tariffs
“As President Trump continues to target Ontario’s economy, the government is acting to secure Ontario’s energy future with the start of construction on the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station refurbishment, Canada’s largest clean energy infrastructure project,” said an Ontario government statement.
“Today [Sep 21], we are marking a national achievement as we begin work on Canada’s largest clean energy infrastructure project and strengthen our made-in-Ontario nuclear supply chain. The best way Ontario can fight back against President Trump is to build big, which is why we are saying yes to 30,500 jobs, 38 more years of clean power and a stronger Ontario economy. I’m proud that we are not only moving this historic project forward, but awarding contracts that will keep more than 90 per cent of project costs right here in Ontario,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines.
“By creating more than 30,000 jobs, generating billions in economic activity and strengthening our made-in-Ontario nuclear supply chain, this project will deliver generational benefits for workers and families in Pickering and communities across the province,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge.
The Timeline
In September 2022, the Ontario government announced that OPG would continue to safely operate the “B” units (units 5 to 8) at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station through September 2026, pending CNSC approval.
In October 2024, CNSC authorized Pickering B units to operate until the end of 2026. Further operation of Pickering B units would require a complete refurbishment.
In December 2024, OPG completed the Project Initiation Phase of the Pickering refurbishment which included early engineering and design work, as well as securing components that require the longest-lead times.
In January 2025, the government approved OPG to proceed with the Project Definition Phase of the Pickering refurbishment that will continue through 2026.
In November 2025, the Ontario government approved OPG’s plan to refurbish four CANDU nuclear reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
Quick Facts
- The Pickering “B” refurbishment is expected to secure a long-term supply of Cobalt-60, a life-saving medical isotope used worldwide in cancer treatments and in the sterilization of medical equipment and food products, while supporting the government’s work to double the number of medical isotopes produced in the province over the next four years.
- Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) forecasts that the province’s electricity demand could increase by as much as 90 per cent by 2050, due to population growth, new housing, electrification, advanced manufacturing, and expansion of critical minerals supply chains.
- Nuclear power currently provides about 50 per cent of Ontario’s electricity supply and has positioned Ontario as one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world.
- Ontario’s nuclear industry currently supports around 80,000 good-paying jobs in communities across the province.
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