Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment Completed Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget
In a significant achievement for Ontario's energy sector, the comprehensive refurbishment of the Darlington nuclear power plant has been completed months ahead of schedule and approximately $150 million under budget. Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce announced the completion on Monday, February 2, 2026, marking the conclusion of what the province describes as the world's largest nuclear refurbishment project.
Project Details and Timeline
Originally announced in 2016, this ambitious project involved the complete overhaul of all four nuclear reactors at the Darlington facility. The final unit, Unit 4, was initially scheduled to return to service in August but will now begin its initial power tests this month. The overall budget for the refurbishment was set at $12.8 billion, with the project coming in substantially below that figure.
Ontario Power Generation CEO Nicolle Butcher emphasized the importance of this achievement, stating: "Bringing the Darlington refurbishment in ahead of schedule and under budget will clearly demonstrate our team's ability to deliver large and complex nuclear projects." She noted that the skills developed during this project will prove invaluable as Ontario proceeds with additional nuclear initiatives.
Economic and Energy Benefits
The completed refurbishment extends the operational life of the Bowmanville-based plant until at least 2055, ensuring it will continue to provide reliable power for decades to come. The facility will deliver more than 3,500 megawatts of power, enough electricity to supply approximately 3.5 million Ontario homes.
Minister Lecce highlighted the substantial economic benefits of the project, noting it has generated $90 billion in economic benefits and supported 14,200 jobs throughout its duration. "Completing the full Darlington refurbishment on-time and under-budget is a made-in-Canada win for our economy," Lecce stated during the announcement.
Technical Improvements and Future Implications
The extensive refurbishment included:
- Replacement of fuel channels and other critical hardware within the nuclear reactors
- Comprehensive system improvements and modernization
- Enhanced safety features and operational efficiency upgrades
This successful completion comes just one year after another Darlington reactor was finished several months ahead of schedule, demonstrating consistent project management excellence. The achievement positions Canada as a global leader in nuclear technology, with Lecce noting that while only six nations own civilian nuclear technology, Canada stands alone in its ability to build, operate, and refurbish projects both on-time and on-budget.
Broader Context for Ontario's Energy Landscape
Nuclear power represents approximately half of Ontario's electricity generation, making the successful completion of this refurbishment crucial for the province's energy security and climate goals. The Darlington project's success provides momentum for additional nuclear initiatives, including:
- The refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station
- Construction of the G7's first Small Modular Reactor at the Darlington New Nuclear Project
- Potential development of up to 10,000 megawatts of new nuclear capacity at Wesleyville
The Darlington nuclear refurbishment represents a landmark achievement in Canadian energy infrastructure, demonstrating that large-scale nuclear projects can be delivered efficiently while providing substantial economic and environmental benefits for Ontario residents and businesses.
