Construction work is officially complete on the refurbishment of Unit 1 at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station.

The Ontario government announced the news on November 18, adding  that the work was completed five months ahead of schedule.

Refurbishing and returning Unit 1 to service provides 875 megawatts (MW) of reliable, affordable and clean power for the next 30-plus years, enough to power 875,000 homes.

“Ontario needs more electricity – 75 percent more by 2050 – to power new homes, historic new investments and an electrifying economy,” said Energy Minister Stephen Lecce. “Delivering this massive clean energy project five months ahead of schedule is a testament to the incredible knowledge and skill of Ontario workers and positions us for success as we build out our plan to meet the soaring energy demand over the next 25 years.”

The Darlington Refurbishment Project is one of Canada’s largest energy projects. Over its life, it will secure 3,500 megawatts of power for an additional 30 years.

The refurbishment of Unit 1 involved the successful removal and replacement of major components of the reactor and its associated equipment including pressure tubes, calandria tubes and feeder pipes, as well as inspection and upgrades of the Turbine Generator equipment.

Unit 1 is the third of four units that have been successfully refurbished to date by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), with the overall project tracking on-time and on-budget. Unit 4 is tracking to be completed by 2026.

The refurbishment of Unit 1 was completed by approximately 6,000 workers over the course of the project, including project management, support services and skilled tradespeople. This includes members of: International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (Boilermakers), United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners (Carpenters), Brick and Allied Craft Union of Canada, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, Insulators, Ironworkers and Rodmen, LiUNA – Laborers International Union of North America, UBC Millwrights, International Union of Operating Engineers, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Sheetmetal and Roofers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Association of Pipefitters, The Power Workers’ Union, and The Society of United Professionals.

"The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario is proud of the work done by Ontario's skilled trades workforce to contribute to the refurbishment on Unit 1, safely and ahead of schedule,” said Business Manager Marc Arsenault. “Nuclear power is an essential part of the energy mix to meet the province’s long-term plans to create good jobs and grow the economy with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity and the Building Trades is proud to be a part of that."

According to an independent report by the Conference Board of Canada, the $12.8 billion project, and the subsequent 30 years of station operation, are expected to generate a total of $90 billion in economic benefits for Ontario and create 14,200 jobs per year.

“Unit 1 is the third unit we will have refurbished months ahead of schedule, safely and with quality,” said Ken Hartwick, OPG President and CEO. “Through the planning, dedication, skill and innovation of OPG and its project partner team, including hundreds of skilled tradespeople, we are now in year 9 of this 10-year refurbishment project execution phase, clearly demonstrating we can complete large, complex nuclear projects on schedule and on budget.”

According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the province’s demand for electricity is forecast to increase by 75 percent by 2050, the equivalent of adding four and a half cities the size of Toronto to the grid. Continued operation of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station during that period will help tackle the rising demand while reducing emissions, taking the equivalent of two million cars off roads each year.

Nuclear power currently provides more than 50 percent of Ontario’s electricity supply and has positioned Ontario as one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world.