Aecon Group and its partners, AtkinsRéalis and Siemens Energy, have been awarded contracts worth a combined C$3bn ($2.13bn) to refurbish Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
The agreements mark a significant stage in the long-term plans to extend the operational life of one of Canada’s largest nuclear facilities.
The contracts, which follow the completion of initial preparatory work, will add C$1.75bn to Aecon’s construction backlog in the third quarter of 2026.
Major construction activities are slated to begin in January 2027, pending regulatory approval, with preliminary work on site having started this month.
Under the contract, a 50/50 joint venture between Aecon and AtkinsRéalis, operating as Candu Energy, won a C$1.7bn contract for the Retube, Feeder and Boiler Replacement (RFBR) project at Pickering Unit 5. The work includes replacing the steam generators, fuel channels and feeders.
Similar work is expected for Units 6, 7 and 8 in later phases, subject to additional 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 responsible for construction services and material procurement.
The scope includes installing 14 new steam turbine rotors, overhauling four generators and adding new auxiliary systems along with upgraded control and monitoring systems.
The refurbishment aims to add up to 38 years of operational life to four CANDU reactors. Estimates suggest the project will create approximately 30,500 jobs annually during construction and 7,500 jobs across Canada over the plant’s lifespan.
The site is expected to provide up to 2,200MW of power when the refurbishment is complete. This output is expected to meet the needs of more than two million homes.
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 decades of experience successfully delivering the largest and most complex nuclear projects across North America, our teams are proud to support OPG in extending the life of this important nuclear generating station while helping ensure a reliable supply of low-carbon electricity for Ontario.”
According to the Ontario government, over 90% of project spending will remain within Ontario, and the refurbishment is expected to contribute C$41.6bn to Canada’s GDP.