Aecon Group and its companions, AtkinsRéalis and Siemens Energy, have been awarded contracts price a mixed C$3bn ($2.13bn) to refurbish Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
The agreements mark a vital stage in the long-term plans to lengthen the operational life of one of Canada’s largest nuclear services.
The contracts, which observe the completion of initial preparatory work, will add C$1.75bn to Aecon’s construction backlog in the third quarter of 2026.
Major construction actions are slated to start in January 2027, pending regulatory approval, with preliminary work on web site having began this month.
Under the contract, a 50/50 three way partnership between Aecon and AtkinsRéalis, working as Candu Energy, won a C$1.7bn contract for the Retube, Feeder and Boiler Replacement (RFBR) project at Pickering Unit 5. The work contains changing the steam mills, fuel channels and feeders.
Similar work is expected for Units 6, 7 and 8 in later phases, subject to extra regulatory approvals.
In addition, Aecon and Siemens Energy were awarded a C$1.3bn contract for the Turbine Generator Replacement project.
Aecon holds the majority stake in this consortium and is accountable for construction providers and materials procurement.
The scope contains putting in 14 new steam turbine rotors, overhauling 4 mills and including new auxiliary systems along with upgraded control and monitoring systems.
The refurbishment goals to add up to 38 years of operational life to 4 CANDU reactors. Estimates recommend the project will create roughly 30,500 jobs yearly during construction and 7,500 jobs across Canada over the plant’s lifespan.
The web site is expected to present up to 2,200MW of energy when the refurbishment is full. This output is expected to meet the wants of more than two million houses.
Aecon Group president and CEO Jean-Louis Servranckx said: “Advancing the Pickering Nuclear Refurbishment Project is another significant milestone in Ontario’s clean energy future and further demonstrates the strength of Aecon’s comprehensive nuclear construction expertise.
“Building on a long time of expertise efficiently delivering the largest and most complicated nuclear initiatives across North America, our groups are proud to support OPG in extending the life of this important nuclear producing station while serving to guarantee a dependable provide of low-carbon electrical energy for Ontario.”
According to the Ontario authorities, over 90% of project spending will stay within Ontario, and the refurbishment is expected to contribute C$41.6bn to Canada’s GDP.