OPG’s Pickering Nuclear ready to keep providing low-carbon power for Ontario
At a glance
- The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has approved OPG’s request to continue operating Pickering Nuclear’s Units 5 to 8 to the end of 2026.
- The decision means Ontario will get up to two more years of safe, reliable, low-carbon power from Pickering Nuclear.
- OPG is continuing to advance planning for the refurbishment of these units to help support Ontario’s growth and electrification in the coming years.
OPG’s Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is set to continue generating safe, reliable, low-carbon power for Ontario for up to another two years.
In its decision, released on October 11, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) approved OPG’s request for a licence amendment to operate Pickering’s Units 5 to 8 to December 31, 2026, up to a maximum of 305,000 equivalent full power hours.
| Pickering Nuclear’s Units 5 to 8 can generate 2,100 megawatts, enough to power about 2 million homes. |
Operations until 2026 will help meet Ontario’s rising need for electricity, particularly as the province’s other nuclear stations undergo refurbishment.
The CNSC’s decision comes after a two-day public hearing that was held in June to consider OPG’s application and written submissions from CNSC staff and intervenors.
This is another great milestone for Pickering Nuclear and all our station staff, who have worked hard to help Pickering achieve some of its best performance in its history in recent years.Steve GregorisChief Nuclear Officer, OPG
As planned, Pickering’s Unit 1 recently ceased commercial operations earlier this year, and Unit 4 will reach end of commercial operations later this year.
OPG continues to plan for the refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear’s Units 5 to 8.
“This is another great milestone for Pickering Nuclear and all our station staff, who have worked hard to help Pickering achieve some of its best performance in its history in recent years,” said Steve Gregoris, OPG’s Chief Nuclear Officer. “As we look forward to an exciting future and plan for the refurbishment of Pickering’s Units 5 to 8, we will continue to put our neighbours first – the residents of Durham Region – as we generate safe, reliable energy.”
More resources:
- Recorded webcasts of public hearings are available on the CNSC website.
- Learn more about Pickering’s operations or read our Environmental and Performance reports.
- To read more about our current licences, visit the OPG Document Archive.
Related stories
Subscribe and stay informed
Sign up to receive the latest news, project updates, and event information from OPG.