Pickering Nuclear Refurbishment

Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to refurbish four CANDU nuclear reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS), extending the station's operational life by decades and ensuring it continues to provide reliable, low-cost, and emission-free electricity.

The project is expected to create approximately 30,500 jobs during refurbishment, while sustaining 6,700 jobs throughout the station’s operation. With a final budget of $26.8 billion, more than 90 per cent of the project cost will be spent in Canada to support local businesses and deliver economic benefits across the province. Refurbishment and ongoing operation will increase Canada’s GDP by $41.6 billion. OPG will deliver the project using the same disciplined planning, oversight, and partnership model that has kept the Darlington refurbishment on-time and on-budget. OPG has also committed to investing $100 million with Indigenous-owned companies over the life of the refurbishment project, ensuring that First Nations hosting nuclear facilities share directly in the economic benefits.

The Pickering "B" refurbishment is also 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.

With the support of the Province of Ontario, OPG is planning for the refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station “B” units. Once refurbished, Pickering would produce a total of 2,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity, equivalent to powering 2.2 million homes. The station currently provides around 10% of Ontario's electricity, making it a crucial part of the province's energy infrastructure.