Ontario Greenlights Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Refurbishment to Create Nearly 37,000 Jobs

On November 26, 2025, Minister Stephen Lecce announced the Ontario government has approved Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to refurbish four CANDU nuclear reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. To support the government’s plan to protect Ontario workers and the province’s long-term energy security, the refurbishment will extend the facility’s operations to deliver affordable, reliable and clean power for up to 38 years. This will allow Ontario to continue leveraging its nuclear advantage to create more export opportunities, support good-paying jobs and build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the face of U.S. tariffs.

“For more than 50 years, nuclear power has been the backbone of Ontario’s energy grid, with the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station as one of the best-performing and continuously operating nuclear stations in the world,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “To deliver on our major jobs plan to get Canadians working, extending the life of the facility will create jobs for tens of thousands of skilled workers while we build up the Ontario supply chain and keep 90 per cent of our project spend in this country. After the previous government’s attempt to shut down the facility, this refurbishment signals that we are doubling down on Canadian technology, Canadian workers and the Canadian supply chain to protect our economy from global instability.”

Pending final licensing approvals from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), OPG will begin the Project Execution Phase to refurbish Pickering “B” units 5 to 8 in early 2027, with completion expected by the mid-2030s. Once completed, Pickering will generate an increased capacity of up to 2,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity, equivalent to powering 2.2 million homes. This will ensure Ontario has the energy it needs to power more homes and a strong, self-reliant and resilient economy.

The project is expected to create approximately 30,500 jobs during refurbishment, while sustaining 6,700 jobs throughout the station’s operation. With a final budget of $26.8 billion, more than 90 per cent of the project cost will be spent in Canada to support local businesses and deliver economic benefits across the province. Refurbishment and ongoing operation will increase Canada’s GDP by $41.6 billion. OPG will deliver the project using the same disciplined planning, oversight, and partnership model that has kept the Darlington refurbishment on-time and on-budget. OPG has also committed to investing $100 million with Indigenous-owned companies over the life of the refurbishment project, ensuring that First Nations hosting nuclear facilities share directly in the economic benefits.

The Pickering “B” refurbishment is also expected to secure a long-term supply of Cobalt-60, a life-saving medical isotope used worldwide in cancer treatments and in the sterilization of medical equipment and food products, while supporting the government’s work to double the number of medical isotopes produced in the province over the next four years.

“Our government’s investment in the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is key to strengthening our economy and standing as a leader in energy production,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Member of Provincial Parliament, Pickering-Uxbridge. “We are refurbishing infrastructure and creating more well-paying jobs for residents in Pickering and across Durham Region.”

Refurbishing Ontario’s nuclear fleet is a key pillar of Energy for Generations, the province’s first-ever integrated energy plan to ensure Ontario has the reliable, affordable power it needs to power new homes and drive economic growth. The government’s integrated approach and record investments in energy infrastructure are also providing the certainty needed for Indigenous communities, municipalities, businesses and industry partners to invest confidently in Ontario’s future. With a clear path forward, the plan is not only meeting the demands of today, but it is protecting jobs, supporting workers and powering economic growth for generations to come.

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