Ontario Approves Pickering Nuclear Refurbishment, Creating Nearly 37,000 Jobs

$26.8-billion project will extend station life for decades, strengthen energy security, and support a made-in-Ontario supply chain

PICKERING — The Ontario government has officially approved Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to refurbish four CANDU reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, a multibillion-dollar project expected to create nearly 37,000 jobs and secure one of the province’s largest sources of clean, baseload electricity for up to 38 additional years.

The decision, announced by Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce, positions the Greater Toronto Area — and Durham Region in particular — as a central hub in what government and industry leaders describe as a global nuclear renaissance. The refurbishment will increase the station’s output to 2,200 MW, enough to power 2.2 million homes, protecting grid reliability as Ontario’s electricity demand climbs sharply toward 2050.

Greenlighting one of Ontario’s largest job-creating projects.

We are saying yes to refurbishing the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and 30,000+ Canadian jobs. pic.twitter.com/Jt4U0n5VPN

— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) November 26, 2025

A Major Economic and Energy Investment

With a final projected budget of $26.8 billion, the refurbishment of Pickering’s “B” units (5–8) will proceed to the Project Execution Phase in 2027, pending final authorization from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Completion is expected by the mid-2030s.

Government officials emphasized that more than 90% of all project spending will stay in Canada, supporting thousands of skilled trades workers, nuclear engineers, suppliers and Indigenous-owned businesses across Ontario.

According to provincial estimates, the project will:

• Create approximately 30,500 jobs during the refurbishment years

• Sustain 6,700 jobs through ongoing operations

• Increase Canada’s GDP by $41.6 billion over the life of the project

• Drive long-term economic benefits across the nuclear supply chain

OPG has also committed to investing $100 million with Indigenous-owned companies, ensuring host communities share directly in economic opportunities tied to the refurbishment.

Protecting Ontario’s Energy Security

Ontario officials framed the refurbishment as a strategic response to rising electricity demand, electrification, and international supply-chain uncertainty driven by global tariffs.

“For more than 50 years, nuclear power has been the backbone of Ontario’s energy grid,” Lecce said in the news release. “Extending the life of this facility will create tens of thousands of jobs while strengthening our domestic supply chain and protecting Ontario from global instability.”

Supporting Medical Isotope Production

The refurbishment also secures Ontario’s role in the global medical sector. Pickering is a major producer of Cobalt-60, a medical isotope used worldwide in:

• Cancer treatments

• Sterilization of medical equipment

• Food safety and industrial applications

Extending reactor life ensures Ontario’s ability to meet growing global demand and supports the province’s goal of doubling isotope production by 2030.

Durham Region at the Centre of Nuclear Growth

Local leaders, including Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe and Durham Regional Chair John Henry, highlighted the project’s regional significance — from skilled trades training pipelines, to economic development, to the province’s clean-energy transition.

“The refurbishment will deliver clean, reliable power, create thousands of good jobs and support local businesses,” Ashe said in the provincial release.

Industry organizations — including the IESO, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, LiUNA, the Boilermakers, Teamsters Canada, Bird Construction, Ontario Tech University, and CANDU Energy — praised the decision as essential to Ontario’s long-term energy stability.

Part of Ontario’s Larger Nuclear Expansion

The Pickering refurbishment is a central pillar of Energy for Generations, Ontario’s first integrated energy plan. The province is simultaneously advancing:

• New large-scale nuclear builds

• Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development

• Major grid upgrades and energy-storage investments

With demand expected to surge over the next 25 years, provincial officials say nuclear expansion is necessary to protect homes, industry and economic growth across the GTA and beyond.

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