The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has approved Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) request to continue operating Pickering units 5 to 8 to the end of 2026, ensuring the units can continue in operation until they are taken offline for refurbishment.
In its decision, released on 11 October, the CNSC approved OPG’s request for a licence amendment to operate Units 5 to 8 to 31 December 2026, up to a maximum of 305,000 equivalent full power hours.
OPG is planning to refurbish units 5, 6, 7 and 8 at Pickering, marking a major turnaround for the facility, which was scheduled to close by 2025.