The $26.8-billion Pickering nuclear refurbishment is expected to move into its major execution phase in early 2027, extending the operating life of four reactors for more than three decades.
Ontario Power Generation plans to refurbish Units 5, 6, 7 and 8 at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
The provincial government approved proceeding with the project in November 2025, but authorization from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is still required before the reactor refurbishment can proceed.
The CNSC is reviewing OPG’s application to renew the station’s operating licences and authorize the refurbishment of Units 5 through 8.
Pickering Nuclear Refurbishment Timeline
OPG plans to take the four operating Pickering units offline in September 2026 and begin defuelling activities.
The main execution phase of the Pickering nuclear refurbishment is scheduled to begin in January 2027, starting with Unit 5.
Unlike the Darlington refurbishment, where units were taken offline one at a time, all four Pickering units are expected to undergo refurbishment during the same general period.
The units will return to service on a staggered schedule. Unit 5 is currently expected to resume operating in May 2031, while the full four-unit program is scheduled for completion by July 2034.
New Training Facility Under Construction
Preparatory construction is already underway at the Pickering site.
OPG is developing a new 200,000-square-foot retube, feeder and boiler replacement training and mock-up facility.
The centre will include detailed replicas of Pickering reactor components, allowing workers to practise complex tasks before completing them inside the station.
It will also feature a mock-up of Pickering’s lower boiler assembly, which OPG says is a unique part of the upcoming refurbishment.
The facility will help train more than 2,800 skilled trades workers required for the project.
A separate two-storey, 38,000-square-foot Common Services Building is also being constructed for contractors and project partners.
Thousands of Ontario Jobs Expected
The Ontario government estimates that the Pickering nuclear refurbishment will support approximately 30,500 jobs during construction.
Once the station returns to service, its continued operation is expected to sustain approximately 6,700 jobs.
More than 90 per cent of the project’s $26.8-billion cost is expected to be spent in Canada, supporting suppliers, manufacturers and skilled workers.
Companies are already producing major components and specialized equipment for the project.
BWXT Canada is manufacturing new steam generators, while ATS Industrial Automation is developing equipment needed to remove, inspect and reinstall fuel channels.
Refurbished Station to Power Millions of Homes
Once completed, the renewed Pickering units are expected to produce up to 2,200 megawatts of electricity.
That would provide enough power for approximately 2.2 million Ontario homes.
The refurbishment is expected to keep the station operating for at least another 30 years while helping Ontario respond to growing electricity demand.
Some environmental organizations have raised concerns that shutting down all four units during the refurbishment period could temporarily increase Ontario’s reliance on natural-gas generation.
OPG says it will apply thousands of lessons learned from the recently completed Darlington refurbishment to control costs, maintain safety and keep the Pickering project on schedule.
