Major project could see reactors operate for 30 more years
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has approved Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) request to continue operating Pickering units 5 to 8 to the end of 2026, ensuring the units can continue in operation until they are taken offline for refurbishment.
In its decision, released on 11 October, the CNSC approved OPG’s request for a licence amendment to operate Units 5 to 8 to 31 December 2026, up to a maximum of 305,000 equivalent full power hours.
OPG is planning to refurbish units 5, 6, 7 and 8 at Pickering, marking a major turnaround for the facility, which was scheduled to close by 2025.
Pickering currently has six Candu 500 515-MW pressurised heavy water reactor units in commercial operation – Units 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Units 2 and 3 were permanently shut down in 2007 and 2008. Units 1 and 4, which began commercial operation in 1973, are set for a permanent retirement at the end of 2024.
OPG said it is continuing to advance planning for the refurbishment, which will be complete by the mid-2030s and could see the units operate for another 30 years or more.
OPG had intended to begin the refurbishment project this year with engineering and design work and securing long-lead components. OPG’s timeline envisages putting the entire station layup in 2026 so that refurbishment can begin.
According to Ontario energy minister Todd Smith, the project will begin with CAD2bn ($1.4bn, €1.3bn) of funding for scoping engineering design work that is expected to begin “over the next year or so.”
He suggested that the scoping and engineering work is expected to inform OPG’s future steps, including a firm schedule and accurate cost estimates.
