The news that the Ontario government has officially approved the refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is exciting for the co-founder of a grassroots group promoting nuclear energy for over four years.
Chris Keefer, President of Canadians for Nuclear Energy, described the announcement made by Energy Minister Stephen Lecce on Wednesday as “one of the most important industrial decisions in modern Canada.”
The $26.8 billion refurbishment is anticipated to create over 30,000 jobs during construction and maintain 6,700 jobs throughout operations while boosting Canada’s GDP by $41.6 billion.
Approximately 90 per cent of the expenses will be incurred within Canada.
“This is nation building at its best. Pickering has earned the right to be rebuilt,” said Keefer, who also referred to the decision as a “genuine victory” for Canadians for Nuclear Energy and the ‘Save Pickering’ campaign that started in 2021.
With final licensing approvals pending from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Ontario Power Generation plans to start refurbishing Pickering B units 5 to 8 in early 2027, aiming for completion by the mid-2030s. Once finished, Pickering will have an increased capacity of up to 2,200 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 2.2 million homes.
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe, Ontario Energy Minister Steven Lecce (left), and Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy at a nuclear announcement in Pickering
“For more than 50 years, nuclear power has been essential to Ontario’s energy grid, with the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station being one of the top-performing and consistently operating nuclear stations globally,” said Lecce. “To fulfill our major jobs plan aimed at getting Canadians back to work, extending this facility’s life will generate jobs for tens of thousands of skilled workers while strengthening Ontario’s supply chain and keeping 90 per cent of our project spending within Canada.”
The refurbishment will prolong operations at the facility so it can provide affordable, reliable, and clean energy for up to 38 years.
According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator, electricity demand in the province is expected to grow “significantly” by 2050. OPG CEO Nicolle Butcher stated that today’s investment will ensure this “clean energy workhorse” continues supplying power for future generations.
The expertise gained from Darlington’s refurbishment-currently nearing completion ahead of schedule-demonstrates that OPG is “ready to deliver another complex nuclear project – on time, on budget, safely, and with quality,” she added.
The Pickering “B” refurbishment is also set to guarantee a long-term supply of Cobalt-60-a crucial medical isotope used worldwide in cancer treatments and sterilization processes-while aiding government efforts to double medical isotope production in Ontario over the next four years.
“I am thrilled with this landmark announcement that secures the future of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station for generations ahead,” said Mayor Kevin Ashe. “This vital refurbishment will provide clean and reliable energy while creating thousands of good jobs and supporting local businesses as we transition toward electrification while meeting an expanding province’s energy needs.”
Durham Chair John Henry referred to this refurbishment as a “critical step” towards ensuring access to clean and affordable energy needed for electrification along with new technologies amid rising demand over decades. “This project will extend station life while creating opportunities for lifesaving medical isotopes applications along with sustaining thousands of highly skilled positions. It’s encouraging seeing provincial investments into nuclear projects that will help shape Ontario’s future.”
Dr. Chris Keefer
Keefer highlighted that reliability has been key to Pickering Nuclear’s success over time; he mentioned how all six units operated continuously for 109 days straight during summer in 2022 while supplying about 14 per cent of provincial demand in 2023.
<p“Very few power stations around anywhere can match such consistent high-output performance when reliability matters most,” he stated. “Refurbishment works well because CANDU technology was designed specifically for it; pressure tubes feeders along with steam generators can be swapped out returning reactors back into like-new condition.”
Keefer noted refurbishments done at both Bruce & Pickering have shown this as a process which could be executed effectively under budget & ahead schedule: “Pickering stands ready due every lesson learned from OPG’s management practices.”
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Dr. Chris Keefer
Keefer highlighted that reliability has been key to Pickering Nuclear’s success over time; he mentioned how all six units operated continuously for 109 days straight during summer in 2022 while supplying about 14 per cent of provincial demand in 2023.
<p“Very few power stations around anywhere can match such consistent high-output performance when reliability matters most,” he stated. “Refurbishment works well because CANDU technology was designed specifically for it; pressure tubes feeders along with steam generators can be swapped out returning reactors back into like-new condition.”
Keefer noted refurbishments done at both Bruce & Pickering have shown this as a process which could be executed effectively under budget & ahead schedule: “Pickering stands ready due every lesson learned from OPG’s management practices.”Although insiders weren’t surprised about proceeding forth with refurbishing process-it still kept deadline till end-of-year twenty-six-from October twenty-four further operation would necessitate complete renovation effort alongside earlier engineering work secured components having longest lead times initiated January project phase approval occurred.
“For Canadians For Nuclear Energy , this moment feels validated”, said Keefer. Volunteers spent many hours composing Save-Pickreport delving data establishing case indicating cheapest clean megawatt exists through retention rehabilitation choosing invest respective local talent technology infrastructure enhancing national capability simply put remediation means movement towards building better country overall”.
Last thirty days : sixty-five thousand four hundred ninety-five votes
All Time : one million one hundred twenty-six thousand three hundred thirty-eight votesFour thousand five hundred eighty-two votes
