The next phase of the Major Component Replacement (MCR) project at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station is officially underway.

Bruce Power announced on October 8 the construction team reached a significant project milestone. Workers have installed protective shielding and 16 bulkheads, weighing over seven tons each, to isolate the power station’s Unit 6 from the operating units. Doing so will allow work on the major component replacement to begin.

“Reaching this milestone on plan under difficult conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic marks a pivotal moment in MCR,” said Eric Chassard, Bruce Power’s executive vice-president, projects & engineering.

With this work now complete, Shoreline Power Group, which is a joint venture that comprises Aecon, SNC-Lavalin and AECOM, will begin the fuel channel feeder replacement program. This next phase of construction is a key element of the MCR project. It involves the removal and replacement of the major components: pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and feeders inside the reactor.

Shoreline has hired approximately 400 tradespeople over the past two months, while ATS Automation has delivered the robotic tooling, which will be used to replace components, to the MCR Training Facility in Kincardine, where workers have been preparing and training.

“After months of preparation, Shoreline is primed to successfully execute the next phase of this important project and Shoreline looks forward to continued success as we work with Bruce Power to deliver this vital project,” said Thomas Clochard, senior vice president and executive lead at Aecon Nuclear.

Shoreline also signed a preferred supplier agreement with Bruce Power under which it could earn similar contracts for the subsequent five units at the nuclear generating station.

Patrick Dillon, business manager and secretary treasurer of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, added that the life-extension program, which includes replacement of major components on six of the Bruce site’s eight nuclear reactors, is an important project for training and keeping Ontario’s skilled trades workers busy.

“This project will result in an annual injection of $4 billion into Ontario’s economy while creating an additional 5,000 jobs across the province each year and allows Bruce Power to continue to provide clean, low-cost, reliable power and life-saving medical isotopes while strengthening local communities,” said Dillon. “Our skilled tradespeople participating in this project are ready for the next stage in the journey ahead, and look forward to delivering the project and securing our future.”

The Unit 6 MCR began in January before being put on hold during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project resumed in late spring with strict precautionary measures being instituted to keep workers and contractors safe. Bruce Power has expanded its safety protocols around the public health crisis, recently putting into place testing and screening of select company and supplemental staff, and contractors.

“Thanks to the combined efforts of our workers and the workers from our supply chain partners, our Unit 6 MCR has reached this important milestone on-time and on-budget,” said Chassard. “With this critical milestone achieved, Shoreline is now taking over the vault in great conditions to deliver its scope and we look forward to the successful execution of this work, which will allow us to continue providing people and businesses across Ontario with reliable, low-cost, clean electricity for decades to come.”