Ontario Construction News staff writer
Bruce Power has completed the construction phase of its Unit 3 Major Component Replacement project, with the work remaining on budget and ahead of schedule, the company announced last week.
It was removed from service on March 1, 2023. Construction partners included Shoreline Power Group, the Steam Generator Replacement Team, BWXT, ES Fox, ATS, Framatome, Kinectrics and Mammoet, along with numerous suppliers.
The construction phase, completed with execution partner Shoreline Power Group — a joint venture of Aecon, AtkinsRéalis and United Engineers and Constructors — included the removal and replacement of 480 fuel channels, 960 end fittings and eight steam generators.
The renewed unit is expected to return to service in the coming months, providing electricity to Ontario homes, businesses and hospitals for decades as demand for power continues to rise.
When fully operational with new components, Unit 3 will generate enough clean electricity to power a city the size of Brampton for at least 35 years. The Independent Electricity System Operator has projected that provincial electricity demand could grow by 75 per cent in the years ahead.
“Unit 3’s Major Component Replacement is another powerful example of Ontario’s nuclear advantage in action,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Ontario’s skilled trades and nuclear workforce delivered this milestone, strengthening our energy self-reliance. This investment powers 22,000 jobs, adds $4 billion to our economy, and ensures clean, reliable electricity for decades.”
Bruce Power Operations staff will begin refuelling the unit with 5,760 fuel bundles later this month. Additional lead-out activities and regulatory inspections will be completed before the unit is reconnected to Ontario’s electricity grid.
“Completing the construction phase of Unit 3’s Major Component Replacement is a major step forward for Ontario’s clean energy future,” said Eric Chassard, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power. “We’re now focused on returning this renewed unit to service on budget and ahead of schedule.”
Unit 3 is the second of six reactors scheduled for refurbishment between 2020 and 2033 under Bruce Power’s privately funded investment in Units 3 through 8. The program is expected to extend the site’s life by 40 years or more. The Unit 4 refurbishment outage began in February 2025, and Unit 5 is scheduled to begin in November. The IESO will also study the possibility of a second refurbishment of Units 1 and 2.
Steam generator work was carried out by the Steam Generator Replacement Team, a joint venture between Aecon and SGT, a partnership of Framatome Canada Ltd. and United Canadian Operations Ltd.
Marc Arsenault, business manager and secretary-treasurer of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, said the refurbishment program is helping secure Ontario’s clean energy supply while supporting skilled trades jobs.
Bruce Power said its Life-Extension Program and major component replacement work will extend each reactor’s operational life by 30 to 35 years and help mitigate increases in greenhouse gas emissions intensity on the grid, supporting 22,000 direct and indirect jobs annually and contribute $4 billion each year to Ontario’s economy.
