OPG's $26.8-billion nuclear reactor project now underway in Pickering
· Toronto Sun
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The $26.8-billion Pickering Nuclear Generation Station refurbishment project is now underway as Doug Ford’s government is leaning on nuclear energy to provide Ontario’s electricity needs.
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“We are marking a national achievement as we begin work on Canada’s largest clean energy infrastructure project and strengthen our made-in-Ontario nuclear supply chain,” Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said on Monday. “I’m proud that we are not only moving this historic project forward but awarding contracts that will keep more than 90% of project costs right here in Ontario.”
The Ontario Power Generation project will extend the life of the four CANDU reactors by up to 38 years. Lecce said the project will create about 30,500 jobs annually during construction and 7,500 jobs across Canada over its lifespan. Site construction began on Monday.
A decade of construction
By the end of September, the four Pickering B nuclear reactors will be removed from service for about a decade. Once the project is complete, the refurbished station is expected to supply up to 2,200 megawatts of power to 2.2 million homes.
Refurbishment will include replacing 1,520 fuel channels, 48 boilers and construction of a 1.5-kilometre deep-water intake.
Reactor refurbishment work will begin pending final approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission this coming January.
The government projects the refurbishment to contribute $41.6 billion to the country’s gross domestic product, with more than 90% of spending remaining in Ontario and Canada.
“Ontario’s investments in critical infrastructure and our key industries are creating new opportunities for workers across the province,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “At a time of global economic uncertainty, we are creating good-paying jobs at home and ensuring our workers have access to the training they need to seize them. By expanding access to apprenticeships and skills training, we are building the workforce Ontario needs to deliver major projects like the Pickering refurbishment and support our continued growth.”