Bruce Power Receives IESO Approval for Unit 5 Major Component Replacement Project

The Canadian Nuclear Association is pleased to report that Bruce Power has received verification from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to proceed with its Unit 5 Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project. The project is scheduled to begin in 2026 and represents the fourth MCR outage in Bruce Power’s comprehensive Life-Extension Program.

“Canada’s nuclear sector provides a strong foundation for both our domestic energy security and our international partnerships in nuclear innovation,” says George Christidis, Interim President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association. “Bruce Power’s success with MCR projects exemplifies the world-class capabilities of our nuclear supply chain and workforce. As we collaborate with international partners like France on workforce development, these major Canadian projects demonstrate why our CANDU expertise and refurbishment knowledge are valued assets in the global nuclear community.”

The Unit 5 MCR project builds on Bruce Power’s successful completion of the Unit 6 MCR and ongoing work in Units 3 and 4. The company plans to renew Units 3-8 over the next eight years, ensuring these units will continue providing clean and affordable electricity to Ontario for decades to come, while also producing cancer-fighting medical isotopes for global use.

The Life-Extension Program represents Canada’s largest private sector clean energy infrastructure project. Approximately 90 percent of procurement is done within Canada, supporting hundreds of Canadian businesses and creating 22,000 jobs across Ontario annually. The program generates $10 billion in economic activity each year, strengthening both local and provincial economies while enhancing Canada’s energy independence.

 In 2023, Bruce Power and the IESO amended their Refurbishment Implementation Agreement to incorporate the federal government’s Investment Tax Credits. This amendment ensures that clean electricity ITCs applicable to Bruce Power’s investment program will directly benefit Ontario ratepayers and reduce electricity system costs.

Bruce Power’s innovative public-private partnership model has introduced important advancements to the refurbishment process, including the first robotic tooling used on a reactor face anywhere in the world. These innovations help keep costs down for ratepayers while ensuring the units can be returned to service safely and on schedule.

With electricity demand projected to rise over the next 25 years, the ongoing refurbishments of Bruce Power’s nuclear units are critical for maintaining the long-term reliability, affordability, and sustainability of Ontario’s electricity system.