How do you power 2 million homes and provide vital medical isotopes for cancer treatment while preparing for a 75% surge in electricity demand by 2050? Ontario’s $2.1 billion Pickering Nuclear refurbishment project promises to deliver these results while cementing Canada’s leadership in sustainable energy innovation.
Read more about this landmark contract and what it means for Ontario (and the world).
The Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Refurbishment Project
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has awarded a $2.1 billion contract to CanAtom, a joint venture between AtkinsRéalis’ Candu Energy division and Aecon Group, to undertake early works for the refurbishment of four Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
The project focuses on Units 5 through 8 and is part of Ontario’s broader effort to modernize its energy infrastructure and meet growing electricity demands.
The contract includes two major phases: $1.1 billion allocated for early works, such as engineering, procurement of long-lead components, and construction planning, and an additional $1 billion for the definition phase.
This work aims to progress the retube, feeder, and boiler replacement (RFBR) program. The hope is to ensure the continued safe operation of the reactors for another 30 years and extend their operational life to the mid-2060s.
“AtkinsRéalis is proud to undertake this work to ensure the reactors at Pickering continue providing clean, reliable, and affordable power to Ontario for decades to come,” stated Ian L. Edwards, president and CEO of AtkinsRéalis.
Pickering Station: A Locus for Ontario’s Energy Supply Strategy
Located 45 kilometers east of Toronto, Pickering's reactors currently supply approximately 10% of Ontario’s electricity. They are also vitally important globally, providing 20% of the world’s Cobalt-60, a medical isotope critical for cancer treatment.
Refurbishing these reactors ensures their continued contribution to Ontario’s clean energy grid and the global medical isotope market.
OPG president and CEO Nicolle Butcher noted, “Refurbishing Pickering secures decades more of low-carbon, reliable baseload electricity. Drawing on our shared experience on the on-time, on-budget Darlington refurbishment project, working with AtkinsRéalis and Aecon sets the stage for similar project excellence.”
This initiative is part of Ontario’s broader energy strategy, which includes extending the life of 10 other CANDU reactors at Bruce Power and Darlington, constructing four small modular reactors (SMRs) at Darlington, and exploring additional nuclear energy projects across southern Ontario.
With electricity demand projected to grow by 75% by 2050, the Pickering refurbishment is a cornerstone of ensuring the province's sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
The Pickering refurbishment project will receive additional support from BWXT Canada in Peterborough and Cambridge, Nutech in Arnprior, Cameco in Port Hope, and NWI Precision in Toronto. The Ontario government has allocated $4.1 billion toward this phase, contributing to a total investment of $6.2 billion.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is also committed to spending $100 million with Indigenous companies during the project. According to the Conference Board of Canada, the refurbishment is expected to generate 11,000 jobs annually and add $19.4 billion to Ontario’s GDP over 11 years.
About Aecon
Founded in 1877, Aecon Group Inc. is one of Canada’s leading construction and infrastructure development companies, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.
With over 12,000 employees, Aecon operates across various sectors, including energy, transportation, and industrial infrastructure. The company is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ARE) and consistently ranks among Canada’s top construction firms.
Aecon has extensive experience in large-scale nuclear projects. It is a key partner in the Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment Project, where it has helped refurbish three of four reactors ahead of schedule. Its reputation and proven track record are why it is entrusted with such an important project to maintain Canada’s nuclear power generation capacity.
About AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis, formerly SNC-Lavalin, is a globally recognized engineering and construction firm headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1911, the company has a workforce of over 35,000 professionals and operates in over 50 countries.
The joint venture with Aecon, known as CanAtom, leverages AtkinsRéalis’ specialized expertise in nuclear engineering through its Candu Energy division.
AtkinsRéalis has an extensive track record in nuclear projects, having designed and maintained CANDU reactors worldwide.
Notable projects include its partnership with Aecon on the Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment Project, where CanAtom successfully completed work on three reactors ahead of schedule. The firm is also a leader in clean energy solutions, with a focus on supporting global decarbonization efforts.
Low Carbon Energy Innovation
With 11,000 jobs annually, $19.4 billion in economic impact, and a 30-year extension of operations, the Pickering refurbishment project embodies the promise of low-carbon energy innovation. How will Ontario's nuclear strategy redefine global energy leadership as it accelerates toward a greener future?
