Ontario’s energy minister has revealed that the refurbishment of four reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is set to cost $26.8 billion, allowing for nearly four more decades of service.
The province and Ontario Power Generation have been planning this long-term refurbishment for years, and today, Minister Stephen Lecce confirmed that the government has approved OPG’s proposal.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission still needs to give its approval for the project, but OPG aims to kick off the refurbishment in early 2027.
Previously, the CNSC approved a short extension for units 5 to 8 at the Pickering nuclear plant until the end of 2026.
Lecce mentioned that this project is expected to create over 30,000 jobs during the refurbishment phase and maintain around 6,700 jobs once it’s operational, while also contributing positively to GDP and meeting Ontario’s increasing electricity demands.
However, Environmental Defence argues that taking Pickering’s reactors offline for most of the next decade will heighten the province’s reliance on natural gas for electricity generation, which could lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
This report by The Canadian Press was first Nov. 26, 2025.
Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
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