The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has approved Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG’s) request to continue operating Pickering NPP’s units 5-8 until the end of 2026. OPG currently holds a 10-year operating licence for the Pickering, which expires on 31 August 2028. The current licence does not allow operations beyond 31 December 2024. CNSC’s decision came a two-day public hearing that was held in June to consider OPG’s application and written submissions from CNSC staff and intervenors. The amended licence includes a condition requiring OPG to implement and maintain an enhanced fitness-for-service programme, CNSC said.
Pickering is located in the city of Pickering (Municipality of Durham) on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The Ontario government is supporting a plan by OPG to proceed with refurbishing Pickering station’s “B” units (units 5-8). Two of the four Pickering “A” units (2&3) were closed in 1997. Units 1&4 were refurbished but unit 1 ceased commercial operations earlier this year, and unit 4 will cease commercial operations by the end of the year. Pickering A began operation in the 1970s and Pickering B in the 1980s. All eight units are 600 MWe pressurised heavy water Candu reactors.
OPG is proceeding with the Project Initiation Phase of refurbishment which will last until the end of 2024. The government is supporting OPG’s CAD2bn ($1.49bn) budget for this phase, which includes engineering and design work as well as securing long-lead components that can require years for manufacturing. By placing orders in advance with key suppliers, OPG will ensure materials are available when Ontario needs them and help keep costs down.
Based on OPG’s preliminary schedule, the refurbishment of Pickering is anticipated to be completed by the mid-2030s. According to independent preliminary analysis by the Conference Board of Canada, the refurbishment of Pickering is expected to increase Ontario’s GDP by CAD19.4bn over the 11-year project period. The project is also expected to create about 11,000 jobs a year.
“This is another great milestone for Pickering Nuclear and all our station staff, who have worked hard to help Pickering achieve some of its best performance in its history in recent years,” said Steve Gregoris, OPG’s Chief Nuclear Officer. “As we look forward to an exciting future and plan for the refurbishment of Pickering’s units 5 to 8, we will continue to put our neighbours first – the residents of Durham Region – as we generate safe, reliable energy.”
