Lack of skilled workers poses risk in refurbishment of Pickering nuclear power plant, documents show

According to documents prepared by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), the refurbishment of the Pickering nuclear power plant could take at least 11 years. However, the lack of qualified workers and possible adjustments to the project scope could impact the project.

The final feasibility assessment report for Pickering Units 5 to 8, obtained by CTV News Toronto through a Freedom of Information request, suggests that refurbishing the plant is “both economically and technically feasible”.

However, he also identifies the lack of skilled workers in Ontario as one of its biggest weaknesses, as well as the technical complexity of the project.

“OPG and external industry forecasts for demand for skilled trades show that the availability of boilermakers, approved asbestos insulation and tunneling expertise on the part of workers will be high risk areas that will require special attention,” the report suggests.

“High levels of attrition across all professions contribute to increased capacity, quality and safety risks. It will be important to recruit, train and manage these professions adequately to mitigate risks while optimizing project results.

The report cites 2023 data from BuildForce Canada, which indicates Ontario's construction workforce will need to increase by approximately 30,500 workers by 2032.

“As most of Ontario's skilled workers have continued to age and retire, the risk of finding enough skilled workers has continued to increase. This means industries need to focus more on advanced planning and hiring,” said NDP labor critic Jamie West.

“Not all skilled trades have the same pool of available labor. This is why the report identifies the need for boilermakers, approved asbestos insulation workers and workers with tunneling expertise.

A spokesperson for Ontario's labor minister said the province has added nearly 670,000 jobs to the economy and the refurbishment of the Pickering nuclear power plant is expected to create an additional 11,000 jobs.

The minister's office did not address the risks cited in the report.

The documents also note that the refurbishment of the Pickering nuclear power plant could be more complex than the work currently underway at the Darlington, Ont., plant, but they say resources will be retained and transferred, which could alleviate some risks.

An OPG spokesperson said they take a conservative approach to project planning and that's why they mention possible risks in the report.

“Our approach to planning the Pickering Refurbishment is very similar to the method we used to plan the Darlington Refurbishment project, which remains on plan even as it reaches its final stages,” said the responsible.

“Darlington Refurbishment's success to date is the result of several factors, not the least of which is our application of lessons learned and our openness to innovation. »

One such lesson, for example, is that some components could be removed together rather than separately, which officials say “saved a lot of time on subsequent units.”

The report makes a strong case for renovating the plant despite the potential risks, arguing that it is necessary to meet increasing electricity demand. The documents note that electricity generation at the Darlington nuclear power plant, plus three additional small modular reactors, will not completely offset the loss of power from the four Pickering units.

“In this context, there is a strong need for reliable, non-greenhouse gas (GHG)-emitting production in the province,” the report states.

The documents outline an estimated 11-year timeline for the project, specifying that this assumes formal approval by the end of 2023. This is consistent with the province's estimate that the project will be completed by the mid-1990s. 2030.

Information on the cost of renovations was removed from the documents, as were sections on electricity demand projections and Ontario's economic benefits.

Hearing date set for plant extension

According to Ontario Power Generation, the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is one of the largest power plants in the world. About 14 percent of Ontario's electricity is produced at this facility.

The closure was planned for 2025, but the province is seeking approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to extend this closure until September 2026.

The public hearing is scheduled for the week of June 17.

Edyta McKay, press secretary to Ontario's Minister of Energy, said OPG has ensured the safe, reliable and clean operation of the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations for decades.

“We are confident that these well-established processes will ensure that Pickering continues to provide electricity safely until September 2026,” she said in a statement.

The province will either have to make changes to its license application or request a new extension after 2026.