Ontario Greenlights Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Refurbishment to Create Nearly 37,000 Jobs

December 10. 2025

The Ontario government has approved Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to refurbish four CANDU nuclear reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. To support the government’s plan to protect Ontario workers and the province’s long-term energy security, the refurbishment will extend the facility’s operations to deliver affordable, reliable and clean power for up to 38 years. This will allow Ontario to continue leveraging its nuclear advantage to create more export opportunities, support good-paying jobs and build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the face of U.S. tariffs.

“For more than 50 years, nuclear power has been the backbone of Ontario’s energy grid, with the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station as one of the best-performing and continuously operating nuclear stations in the world,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “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. After the previous government’s attempt to shut down the facility, this refurbishment signals that we are doubling down on Canadian technology, Canadian workers and the Canadian supply chain to protect our economy from global instability.”

Pending final licensing approvals from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), OPG will begin the Project Execution Phase to refurbish Pickering “B” units 5 to 8 in early 2027, with completion expected by the mid-2030s. Once completed, Pickering will generate an increased capacity of up to 2,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity, equivalent to powering 2.2 million homes. This will ensure Ontario has the energy it needs to power more homes and a strong, self-reliant and resilient economy.

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.

“Our government’s investment in the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is key to strengthening our economy and standing as a leader in energy production,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Member of Provincial Parliament, Pickering-Uxbridge. “We are refurbishing infrastructure and creating more well-paying jobs for residents in Pickering and across Durham Region.”

Refurbishing Ontario’s nuclear fleet is a key pillar of Energy for Generations, the province’s first-ever integrated energy plan to ensure Ontario has the reliable, affordable power it needs to power new homes and drive economic growth. The government’s integrated approach and record investments in energy infrastructure are also providing the certainty needed for Indigenous communities, municipalities, businesses and industry partners to invest confidently in Ontario’s future. With a clear path forward, the plan is not only meeting the demands of today, but it is protecting jobs, supporting workers and powering economic growth for generations to come.

Pickering Refurbishment Supply Chain

Companies will provide specialized expertise and services to advance the Pickering Nuclear Refurbishment Project, creating jobs and generating significant economic benefits across the province. The current list of partners includes:

Black & McDonald
  • The Toronto-based company is an integrated, multi-trade service provider and will supply nuclear-qualified staff to perform engineering, procurement and construction work, key projects include piping inspections and repairs, service water, and emergency water projects.
  • Black & McDonald will create approximately 400 jobs associated with this work and have also opened a new workspace in the City of Pickering to support the Pickering Refurbishment work; more than 85 staff will be located in the new facility.
BWXT Canada
  • Headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario, BWXT Canada is a leading manufacturer of nuclear components and systems and will support the project by creating at least 250 highly skilled trades positions, including welders, fitters, and machinists, as well as additional engineering and support roles.
  • For the Pickering Nuclear Refurbishment Project, BWXT has secured contracts worth over $1 billion to manufacture 48 steam generators at its Cambridge facility.
CanAtom – AtkinsRéalis & Aecon
  • CanAtom – a joint venture between AtkinsRéalis and Aecon – has been contracted to provide engineering, procurement, and construction management for the Retube, Feeder, and Boiler Replacement Project.
  • This will be supported by BWXT Canada in Peterborough and Cambridge, Nu-Tech in Arnprior, Cameco in Port Hope and NWI Precision in Toronto.
  • The Toronto-based joint venture’s efforts are expected to generate more than 2,400 skilled jobs across engineering, construction, and project management disciplines.
  • CanAtom has taken out office space in the City of Pickering to support the project, driving support to local businesses.
E.S. Fox
  • The Niagara-based company will provide nuclear qualified staff to perform construction, fabrication, and maintenance services, leveraging its integrated approach developed through decades of nuclear experience.
  • E.S. Fox will support the replacement of critical air systems such as breathing and instrument air systems and will create approximately 400 jobs associated with this work. They have taken out additional office space in the City of Pickering to support the project.
Nu-Tech Precision Metals Inc.
  • Nu-Tech Precision Metals, based in Arnprior, Ontario, is part of the supply chain supporting the Retube, Feeder, and Boiler Replacement Program for Pickering.
  • Nu-Tech is part of an exclusive group of manufacturers around the world that produce pressure tubes, a critical component for nuclear reactors. This company’s products played a key role in the Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment Project.
Northern Transformer
  • Headquartered in Maple, Ontario, Northern Transformers designs and manufactures custom-engineered power transformers for utility and industrial applications
  • Northern Transformers has been contracted to supply two models of medium-voltage transformers and related electrical equipment which will add 40 highly-skilled jobs at the Maple facility.
Shoreline Welding and Machine Inc.
  • Located in Goderich, Ontario, Shoreline Welding and Machine Inc. provides machining, fabrication and repair work for custom fabrication and large-scale production-based work.
  • The company will be providing power carts to CanAtom to be used as part of the Retube, Feeder, and Boiler Replacement Program in training within a mock-up facility.

As part of the Pickering Refurbishment Project, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is dedicated to advancing its Reconciliation Action Plan by actively supporting Indigenous businesses through meaningful project opportunities. OPG has committed to spending over $100 million with Indigenous companies over the life of the refurbishment project. OPG is currently exploring partnerships with several Indigenous businesses, including (in alphabetical order): 7Gen, AC7G, Makhos-Bird Joint Venture, Makwa-Dewar, and Voyageur Services.

Quick Facts

  • According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the province’s demand for electricity is forecast to increase significantly by 2050.
  • In September 2022, Ontario announced that OPG would continue to safely operate the “B” units (units 5 to 8) at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station through September 2026, pending CNSC approval.
  • In October 2024, CNSC authorized Pickering “B” units to operate until the end of 2026. Further operation of Pickering “B” units would require a complete refurbishment.
  • In December 2024, OPG completed the Project Initiation Phase of the Pickering refurbishment which included early engineering and design work, as well as securing components that require the longest-lead times. By placing orders in advance with key suppliers, OPG can ensure materials are available when Ontario needs them and help keep costs down.
  • In January 2025, the government approved OPG to proceed with the Project Definition Phase of the Pickering refurbishment that will continue through 2026. Under this phase, OPG undertook activities to refine project scope and cost, complete engineering deliverables, negotiate commercial contracts and secure spots in the queue for long-lead components.
  • To reduce costs the government will continue exploring potential financial instruments that would benefit ratepayers, and in parallel, OPG continues to explore other optimal financing arrangements.

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