Ontario Power Generation
PICKERING A UNIT 1 RETURN TO SERVICE
Safely and efficiently returning 542 MW of clean electrical power to the people of Ontario
Pickering A Unit 1 was declared to be back in commercial service on November 3, 2005. With commissioning tests complete, Unit 1's electricity output is now being dispatched under the direction of the Indepentdent Elecricity System Operator. Major construction on the Pickering A Unit 1 project was completed in July 2005 and by month's end the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission had granted permission to begin the process of starting up the reactor. At just after 10:00 pm on August 2 2005 the reactor went critical-achieving a sustained nuclear reaction for the first time since the unit was laid up in December 1997. On September 9 the heat transport system was warmed up to an operating temperature of 265 degrees Celsius and a series of power ramp ups was underway. The production of first electricity from the unit and its synchronization to the provincial power grid occurred on September 26. This was followed by further testing until the unit was declared in service on November 3. Total costs incurred up to November 3, 2005 were $996 million, excluding the impact on costs of feeder inspections and replacement of $20 million, which were not included in the origional scope of the project.
The Hon. Donna Cansfield, Minister of Energy and ministry staff paid a visit to Pickering Nuclear to offer congratulations on the successful return to full commercial service of Unit 1. The celebration was an opportunity to "officially inaugurate" this historic milestone with staff and key community supporters and leaders.
Hon. Donna Cansfield Minister of Energy and and OPG President and CEO Jim Hankinson at the inauguration ceremony
Unit 1 Details
Click below for a detailed overview of the return to service.
Unit 1 Video
Watch the Pickering Unit 1 Return to Service video.