Pickering Nuclear Station Upgrade Gets Green Light

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The Ford government has announced plans to proceed with the nearly $27 billion refurbishment of four reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, a key part of its energy strategy.

Energy Minister Stephen Lecce shared on Wednesday that the province has approved Ontario Power Generation’s plan to refurbish the plant’s CANDU reactors, a decision that could allow power generation for an additional four decades.

“To deliver on our major jobs plan to get Canadians working, extending the life of the facility will create jobs for tens of thousands of skilled workers while we build up the Ontario supply chain and keep 90 per cent of our project spend in this country,” he stated in a press release.

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The government had previously indicated it planned to refurbish Pickering at the start of this year. The announcement on Wednesday confirmed that it has given its final approval for moving ahead with the project.

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The estimated cost for this project is $26.8 billion, and it’s expected to generate about 30,500 jobs. Ontario Power Generation will cover these costs, and there’s a possibility that “financial instruments” may be used by the government to lessen expenses for ratepayers.

<p“(The) OPG continues to explore other optimal financing arrangements,” according to government sources.

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The project still requires final licensing approvals from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. If granted, work will kick off on Pickering’s B units five through eight in early 2027.

Upon completion of renovations at Pickering, it is expected to produce an increased capacity of up to 2,200 megawatts of electricity, which is enough power for approximately 2.2 million homes.

The Progressive Conservatives have positioned nuclear power as central to their energy vision, with ambitions possibly including a new station in Port Hope alongside small modular reactors and further refurbishments.

Ontario has turned more towards natural gas while nuclear facilities undergo refurbishment, leading some critics to voice concerns over this approach.

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