Training for tomorrow: Cutting-edge facility taking shape for Pickering Refurbishment
At a glance
- An important training facility is now being built to support OPG’s upcoming refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear’s Units 5 to 8.
- The training centre will give skilled trades important hands-on experience on detailed mock-ups of the reactor and various components ahead of entering the actual reactor building.
- The facility offers a similar training approach that helped deliver the Darlington Refurbishment ahead of schedule and under budget.
At Pickering, construction continues on a new, cutting-edge facility that will be critical to training workers to execute OPG’s Pickering Refurbishment Project.
The new 200,000-square-foot Retube Feeder and Boiler Replacement Training and Mock-up facility is a purpose-built space designed to support the refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear’s Units 5 to 8, which is expected to begin in early 2027.
Like the full-scale reactor mock-up facility that trained workers for OPG’s ahead-of-schedule, under-budget Darlington Refurbishment project, this hub will be critical to training more than 2,800 skilled trades staff ahead of refurbishment activities.
The new, dedicated facility will feature detailed mock-ups of the Pickering reactor design and its components, which differ from Darlington Nuclear. It will also provide a training mock-up of Pickering’s lower boiler assembly, a unique aspect to this refurbishment.
This training facility demonstrates our investment in workforce readiness and safety. It ensures our staff are fully equipped with the skills and confidence needed to deliver a successful refurbishment of Pickering Units 5 to 8.Samad KasaaiVice-President, Major Projects
“This training facility demonstrates our investment in workforce readiness and safety,” said Samad Kasaai, Vice-President, Major Projects at OPG. “It ensures our staff are fully equipped with the skills and confidence needed to deliver a successful refurbishment of Pickering Units 5 to 8.”
In addition to the reactor mock-ups, the facility will also include steam generator boiler bottom mock-ups, training classrooms, a welding shop to provide comprehensive, hands-on learning opportunities, and space to safely store refurbishment components to support efficient project execution.
The training centre is scheduled for completion in December 2026.
Late last year, the building marked a visible milestone with the installation of the OPG sign.
Once completed, the refurbished Pickering Nuclear will continue to provide reliable, low-carbon electricity for approximately two million homes.
Beyond reliable power, refurbishing and continuing operations at Pickering will also sustain, on average, about 7,500 jobs per year over its lifespan. This includes 30,500 jobs per year over the refurbishment period. The project is also expected to increase Canada’s GDP by $41.6 billion.
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