Ontario Power Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Refurbishment involves replacing major reactor components such as the steam generators, feeder pipes, calandria tubes and fuel channels. It also involves managing the radioactive waste from refurbishment activities and from continued operations of the station.

How long would refurbishment take?

If each reactor unit were refurbished separately, the first beginning around 2014, the other units would follow over eight to ten years. The total time frame for refurbishment would depend on a number of factors, but each reactor would be removed from service (placed in an outage) for approximately 2-3 years. Following each refurbishment outage, the reactor unit would be refueled and returned to full power operation. Ongoing station operation after refurbishment would include routine scheduled maintenance activities and inspections.

How long would Pickering B operate if refurbished?

If the decision is to invest in the refurbishment of Pickering B, we would expect the reactors to continue to produce electricity until approximately 2050 – 2060.

What about greenhouse gas emissions?

Many people ask about greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power plants. Click here for a listing of studies undertaken by various independent research groups that examine life-cycle CO₂ and CO₂ equivalency emissions.