Pickering nuclear reactors start coming off-line for massive refurbishment

Ontario's premier, Doug Ford, has initiated a massive refurbishment project at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, in an effort to boost the province's nuclear energy capacity to meet growing electricity demands. Four reactors at the plant are beginning to be taken offline, with an anticipated cost of $26.8 billion for the rehabilitation.

The actual refurbishment is slated to commence in January, and it is expected to render the reactors out of service for approximately ten years, thereby extending their operational lifespan by up to 38 years.

This extensive overhaul would enable the power plant to generate enough electricity to sustain 2.2 million homes. During this process, workers will replace a staggering 1,520 fuel channels and 48 boilers, and construct a 1.5-kilometre deep-water intake. Energy Minister Stephen Lecce asserts that the project will generate 30,500 jobs, with most of the expenditures remaining within Ontario's borders.

However, Environmental Defence has raised concerns that shutting down Pickering's reactors for nearly a decade could exacerbate the province's already increasing dependence on natural gas for electricity generation, leading to a rise in greenhouse gas emissions. This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on September 21, 2026.