Ontario Power Generation, in collaboration with the provincial government, is seeking approval from Canada's nuclear safety regulator to renovate the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, as reported by Mike Crawley from CBC.
The Ontario government is set to announce a plan to refurbish the aging Pickering nuclear generating station, extending its operational life by potentially 30 years, CBC News reports. The move aligns with the anticipated surge in electricity demand in Ontario over the coming decades and the federal regulations mandating net-zero carbon emissions for future power plants. Energy Minister Todd Smith will endorse Ontario Power Generation's proposal to refurbish the four Candu reactors, collectively known as Pickering B, supplying 2,000 megawatts of power.
According to an advanced copy of the provincial news release obtained by CBC News, the refurbishment, spanning 11 years, is projected to generate 11,000 jobs annually and boost Ontario's GDP by $19.4 billion. However, the total budget for the project is not disclosed in the release. The Darlington nuclear station is undergoing a similar refurbishment of four units, with a total budget of $12.8 billion, currently over halfway through completion.
Approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is a prerequisite for the plan's implementation. The commission is already evaluating a prior request from Ontario Power Generation to extend the operating license of Pickering B's existing units until 2026. This extension would enable the plant to continue electricity generation until the refurbishment commences, subject to approval.
Ontario's nuclear expansion is part of broader initiatives, including plans to double production at Bruce Power, the world's largest nuclear generating station, and the addition of three small modular reactors at Darlington. These efforts aim to address the anticipated electricity demand gap resulting from the auto sector's shift to electric vehicles, the steel industry's move away from coal-fired furnaces, and the province's growing population.
Nuclear power currently supplies slightly over half of Ontario's electricity needs, with hydro dams contributing 25%, and gas-fired power plants and wind farms accounting for the rest. Ontario's dependence on non-fossil fuel sources for 90% of its electricity is a key factor in attracting international automakers like Volkswagen and Stellantis for electric vehicle manufacturing.
The province's decision to refurbish Pickering is lauded by supporters like Chris Keefer, president of Canadians For Nuclear Energy, who emphasizes the environmental benefits compared to potential electricity replacement from gas-fired plants. Keefer sees the refurbishment as a significant move for climate and air quality, contributing to Ontario's ability to attract sustainable investments.
As Ontario advances its nuclear power production, there are also plans to expand gas plants in various locations, presenting a complex energy landscape. A total cost estimate for the Pickering refurbishment will be provided after the year-long initiation phase, with the initial phase's budget set at $2 billion, financed through debt and repaid from ratepayer revenue once the project is operational.
