Ontario Construction News staff writer
Aecon Group Inc., in a joint venture with AtkinsRéalis, has been awarded a significant contract by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for the refurbishment of four units at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. This project, valued at approximately $2.1 billion, marks a crucial step in Ontario’s plan to secure affordable and clean energy while creating thousands of jobs.
“This contract award builds on the success of our joint venture on the Darlington Refurbishment Project and signifies OPG’s continued confidence in our team to refurbish their reactor fleet on-time, within budget and with an unwavering commitment to safety and quality,” Aecon Group’s president and CEO Jean-Louis Servranckx, said in a statement last Thursday (Jan. 23).
The refurbishment project will focus on extending the operational life of Pickering’s “B” units (Units 5 to 8), ensuring the continued production of over 2,000 megawatts of electricity – enough to power approximately two million homes.
“Refurbishing Pickering secures decades more of the low-carbon, reliable baseload electricity Ontario needs to meet forecasted soaring demand,” said OPG’s president and CEO Nicolle Butcher
The project is expected to generate thousands of jobs across the province and contribute $19.4 billion to Ontario’s GDP over 11 years.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is focused on delivering affordable energy, while we stand firm against the federal carbon tax. This refurbishment would protect those good paying jobs and provide the affordable and reliable power our province will need for decades to come,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification.
The refurbishment plan aligns with Ontario’s broader Affordable Energy Future strategy, which includes:
- Developing a comprehensive energy plan that considers all energy resources.
- Promoting clean and affordable nuclear power through various initiatives, including pre-development work at Bruce Power, small modular reactors at Darlington, and exploring new nuclear energy generation in Port Hope.
- Investing in new transmission infrastructure to support job creation and clean energy initiatives.
- Implementing energy efficiency programs to help families and businesses reduce electricity usage and costs.
The Pickering refurbishment project is subject to regulatory approval by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).
