Ontario’s energy future received a major boost as a joint venture between Aecon and AtkinsRéalis secured a $2.1 billion contract to replace retube feeders and boilers at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. The project, part of the ongoing refurbishment of Pickering’s ‘B’ plant, is set to create over 2,400 jobs across the province.
The refurbishment effort is projected to inject $19.4 billion into Ontario’s economy over the next 11 years, generating approximately 11,000 jobs annually, according to a report by the Conference Board of Canada.
Speaking at the announcement event in Mississauga, Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce emphasized the significance of the project: “The Pickering Nuclear Generating Station has been a pillar of Ontario’s energy grid, providing affordable, reliable, and zero-emissions electricity for over 50 years. This refurbishment ensures we continue to power the province while protecting thousands of high-paying jobs.”
The upgrades are expected to enable the station to produce over 2,000 megawatts of electricity—enough to power two million homes—meeting the province’s increasing energy demands driven by electrification and economic growth. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) estimates the refurbishment will be completed by the mid-2030s.
The project, led by Aecon and AtkinsRéalis under their CanAtom joint venture, will involve work at multiple locations across Ontario. Key contributors include:
- BWXT Canada in Peterborough and Cambridge
- Nutech in Arnprior
- Cameco in Port Hope
- NWI Precision in Toronto
The CanAtom team brings expertise from OPG’s Darlington refurbishment project, where three out of four reactor units were completed ahead of schedule.
“Leveraging our experience from Darlington, we are set up for success as we embark on refurbishing Units 5-8 at Pickering,” said OPG CEO Nicolle Butcher. “These investments ensure Ontario remains a leader in clean and reliable energy production.”
The refurbishment includes the replacement of 48 boilers and the installation of a deep-water inlet to address algae bloom issues that have historically affected plant performance.
Christopher Adlam, co-founder of Canadians for Nuclear Energy, described the boiler replacement as a “major milestone” in the refurbishment process. His colleague, Dr. Chris Keefer, praised the initiative, noting, “This marks the realization of a long-fought vision for the Pickering B refurbishment, proving skeptics wrong and securing a sustainable future for nuclear energy in Ontario.”
AtkinsRéalis Nuclear President Joe St. Julien highlighted the use of Canadian-developed CANDU technology as a source of national pride: “This refurbishment will help meet the rising demand from population growth and industrial expansion while showcasing Canada’s expertise in nuclear energy.”
Aecon CEO Jean-Louis Servanckx echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the company’s commitment to delivering the project on time and within budget. “This contract is a testament to OPG’s confidence in our team, and we are proud to contribute to North America’s largest nuclear refurbishment projects,” he said.
The next phase of the refurbishment, the Project Definition Phase, will continue through 2026, supported by a $4.1 billion budget from the province. The total investment in the project to date is $6.2 billion.
The Pickering refurbishment is part of Ontario’s broader energy strategy, which includes:
- Pre-development of a new full-scale power plant at Bruce
- Exploration of nuclear generation at the Wesleyville site in Port Hope
- Construction of four small modular reactors at Darlington
Ontario’s energy demand is expected to rise by 75% by 2050, underscoring the importance of these initiatives.
“Refurbishing Pickering’s ‘B’ units is critical for securing affordable, reliable, and clean energy while creating thousands of well-paying jobs,” said Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, who also serves as MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge.