Ontario Construction News staff writer
The refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station has officially started, with the Ontario government labeling it as Canada’s biggest clean energy infrastructure project.
This refurbishment aims to prolong the lifespan of Pickering’s four CANDU reactors by as much as 38 years, generating around 30,500 jobs each year during construction and an additional 7,500 jobs across Canada throughout the project’s duration.
Significant contracts have been awarded to suppliers based in Ontario.
Aecon Group Inc. and Candu Energy, a part of Atkins Réalis, hold a contract valued at approximately $1.7 billion for the execution phase of the Unit 5 Retube, Feeder and Boiler Replacement (RFBR) project.
Aecon along with Siemens Energy Canada has also secured a $1.3-billion contract for turbine generator replacement. This work involves installing 14 steam turbine rotors, rewinding four generators, overhauling those generators, and setting up new auxiliary systems along with a control and monitoring system.
“Advancing into execution on the Pickering Refurbishment project is a major step forward for Ontario’s clean energy future and highlights Aecon’s proven leadership as Canada’s nuclear constructor,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO of Aecon Group.
The Pickering B units, specifically Units 5 to 8, are set to be taken out of service by the end of September 2026 after receiving provincial approval for Ontario Power Generation’s refurbishment plan.
Site construction is now underway while reactor refurbishment work is expected to kick off after final approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, which is anticipated in January 2027.
Once finished, the refurbished station should generate up to 2,200 megawatts of electricity-enough power for about 2.2 million homes.
This work includes replacing 1,520 fuel channels and 48 boilers along with constructing a deep-water intake that spans 1.5 kilometers.
A new training facility covering 200,000 square feet will prepare over 2,800 skilled trades workers before refurbishment activities commence.
“Ontario’s investments in critical infrastructure and our key industries are creating new opportunities for workers across the province,” said Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Minister Trevor Jones. “At a time of global economic uncertainty we are creating good-paying jobs here at home and ensuring our workers have access to the training they need to seize them.”
This initiative is part of Ontario’s wider nuclear expansion plans that involve refurbishing existing nuclear facilities alongside developing new generation facilities.
Nuclear expansion initiatives could lead to about 150,000 jobs while contributing over $800 billion to the provincial economy.
The Pickering B refurbishment is also expected to secure a steady supply of cobalt-60-a medical isotope used in cancer treatments as well as in sterilizing medical equipment and food products.
“The Pickering Nuclear refurbishment shows what a self-reliant economy looks like in the face of international pressures,” said Ryan Plante, area manager for Southwest Ontario with the Carpenters’ Regional Council. “Carpenters’ Regional Council members play a crucial role in building maintaining and revitalizing Ontario’s energy infrastructure and are ready to bring that experience to this project.”
The Society of Professional Engineers and Associates-which represents nearly 2,000 engineers working with CANDU technology-also stated that this project will help maintain nuclear expertise along with economic activity within Canada.
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