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Located in Pickering (just east of Toronto), Ontario Power Generation's (OPG's) Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (GS) is one of the largest nuclear stations in the world and has been safely and reliably providing Ontario with power for decades.
Learn more about this world-class facility, which features six operating CANDU® reactors (CANadian Deuterium Uranium), and accounts for approximately 14% of Ontario’s electricity needs, while generating power that is virtually emissions-free.
Pickering nuclear operations
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megawatts is the total output at Pickering
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jobs protected until 2025
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of Ontario’s electricity is produced at Pickering
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megatonne reduction in CO2 emissions in 2026
Pickering and OPG’s commitment to the future
Through ongoing investments and the dedication of our employees who live and work in the community, Pickering Nuclear is seeing its strongest performance ever, including achieving its highest yearly production output and its best equipment reliability ratings.
As Ontario’s other nuclear stations undergo refurbishment, there is a need for additional electricity through to 2026. OPG is seeking the CNSC’s approval through a public hearing process to operate Pickering’s Units 5 - 8 to September 2026, while Units 1 and 4 will cease operations at the end of 2024. The current licence includes operations to the end of 2024, followed by safe storage activities to the end of 2028.
Looking beyond 2026
The Province has also asked OPG to conduct a feasibility assessment on the potential for refurbishing Units 5 – 8. Currently we are conducting a comprehensive technical examination and hope to submit a final recommendation to the Province by the end of 2023.
In 2009, OPG reviewed the environmental and safety case for refurbishing Units 5 – 8, and although there was community support for the refurbishment, a decision was made to not pursue the project due to the challenging economics, stagnant electricity demand, and anticipated supply chain issues and costs.
We have learned a lot about refurbishment since 2009 and through our Darlington project, which remains on time and on budget, and will apply these learnings to our feasibility assessment of Pickering.
Safety is our number #1 priority
For decades, the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station has safely and reliably powered the lives of millions of Ontarians. The men and women who have devoted themselves to the station’s operations have done so with tremendous dedication, a steadfast commitment to meeting rigorous safety requirements and standards, and under the watchful eye of onsite CNSC staff.
Reactor buildings
Pickering reactor buildings are made of heavily reinforced concrete (walls 1.2 metres thick) to enclose the reactors and related equipment and shield personnel from radiation during operation.
Each building contains one reactor and twelve steam generators (boilers).
The reactor consists of a large, heavily shielded vessel or calandria, which contains 380 fuel channels and 4,560 bundles of uranium fuel encased in zircaloy sheathing.
Vacuum building
The vacuum building design is a unique safety feature of CANDU®(CANadian Deuterium Uranium) reactor.
This over 50 metre high cylindrical concrete structure is connected to the reactor buildings by a pressure relief duct.
Maintained at negative atmospheric pressure, any release of radioactive steam from the pressurized systems is sucked into the vacuum building and condensed, thus preventing its release outside the station.
Turbine hall
This huge structure houses the turbines that the station uses to generate electricity. Each hall has 12 low pressure turbines, 4 high pressure turbines and 4 generators.
Nuclear power plant safety systems
Learn about the nuclear safety systems designed to keep you safe.


Pickering Nuclear visitor centre
675 Montgomery Park Road
Pickering, Ontario
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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