Pickering nuclear reactors start coming off-line for massive refurbishment

Ontario's Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is initiating a massive refurbishment project on Monday, as the province seeks to rely more on nuclear energy to meet its increasing electricity demands. Four reactors at the plant are being taken offline for refurbishment, estimated to cost $26.8 billion. The construction is expected to commence in January and could keep the reactors offline for approximately a decade.

The refurbishment will extend the plant's operational life by up to 38 years, generating sufficient electricity to power 2.2 million homes. The project encompasses replacing 1,520 fuel channels, 48 boilers, and constructing a 1.5-kilometre deep-water intake. Energy Minister Stephen Lecce emphasizes that the project will generate around 30,500 jobs, with most of the expenses remaining within Ontario.

However, Environmental Defence has raised concerns that taking Pickering's reactors offline for most of the next decade may increase the province's dependence on natural gas for electricity generation, potentially raising greenhouse gas emissions.