Pickering A Nuclear: How to Build a Legacy

Today at noon Pickering Unit 4 began a shutdown for the last time. Unit 4 is the last of the four-unit A side of the Pickering 8-unit station to remain in operation after over 50 years of service to the province of Ontario.

Pickering A was the first multi-unit nuclear site in Canada. The station was built following the lessons provided by the Douglas Point Nuclear Generating Station that operated for just over 15 years, shutting down in 1984. Pickering became the first multi-station CAN Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactor in the world.

As is always true, the technology only provides a backdrop for the real story. Pickering is the home of an amazing team of professionals that demonstrate excellence in nuclear operation and equipment reliability every day. Over the decades, generations of operators, engineers, maintenance, security, chemistry and radiation protection technicians have walked through the doors to deliver power for Ontario.

The men and women of Pickering A have left a legacy. That legacy contributed directly to the elimination of coal generation in Ontario, the expansion of CANDU reactors around the world and the foundation for a future of clean nuclear power for generations to come. Ontario is able to move forward with refurbishment of Pickering B (Units 5-8) and develop new nuclear projects because of the legacy of excellence at Pickering. Over the last few years, Pickering A has realized its strongest performance ever in virtually every measure, getting better with age. This is a testament to the Pickering team.

The true legacy of Pickering is that team: The Best Team in the Industry. I was honored during the last few years to work alongside them. While the Pickering A station will be placed in long term storage, the professionals remaining behind will be Building a Future in Ontario of small modular reactors and setting up the foundation for new large reactors. These opportunities were created by the performance of that team. I look forward to Building that Future with them as we move on into new roles creating a clean energy future for Ontario.