June 8, 2026
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Bruce Power has returned Unit 3 to service more than seven months ahead of schedule, following its Major Component Replacement (MCR), with the renewed unit set to power Ontario for decades to come.
The project was completed safely and successfully, continuing Ontario’s track record of delivering nuclear refurbishments on-time, on-budget and with quality by a skilled workforce, industry partners and a robust Made-in-Canada supply chain.
As a result of Bruce Power’s performance, the company is expecting to return approximately $150-million to Ontario ratepayers through the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), demonstrating the strength of the province’s nuclear refurbishment model and Bruce Power’s commitment to delivering value for families and businesses. Provisions built into the Bruce Power refurbishment agreement with the IESO ensure that the people of Ontario benefit from savings realized during the Life-Extension Program and operation of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.
"Ontario is cementing its position as a tier-one nuclear jurisdiction with a plan to put 150,000 Canadians to work, with ‘Made-in-Canada’ stamped on over 90 per cent of our spend," said Ontario energy minister Stephen Lecce. "Backed by the best workers, engineers and tradespeople anywhere in the world, we're delivering the reliable, affordable and clean power needed to keep our economy strong and more self reliant.”
“With Unit 3 now back in service and providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable electricity to the province, we continue to demonstrate that large-scale nuclear projects in Ontario can be delivered safely, efficiently, and with real, long-term financial benefits for ratepayers,” said Eric Chassard, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our workforce, our skilled trades partners, and the strength of our Made-in-Canada nuclear industry.”
Unit 3’s successful return to service by Bruce A, the entire Bruce Power team, and its partners, builds a series of strong performance milestones achieved throughout the project, including completion of key phases ahead of schedule, supported by innovation and continuous improvement; record-setting execution in critical work programs, reflecting advancements in tooling, planning and workforce expertise; and ongoing improvements in efficiency and quality, driven by lessons learned from earlier refurbishments, including Unit 6 which was also completed ahead of schedule and under-budget.
Most notably among several innovations, the Unit 3 MCR marked the first time robotic tools were used on a reactor face to rebuild a Candu reactor. Bruce Power and its partners also set a Candu refurbishment record for calandria tube removal by completing it 11 days ahead of schedule.
With its life extended by more than three decades, Unit 3 will provide enough clean, reliable electricity to power a city the size of Brampton for years to come, while supporting growing demand for electricity across the province.
With the Unit 4 MCR already under way, it represents the midway point for Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program to refurbish Units 3-8 and enable the site to operate into the 2060s, supporting Ontario’s energy security, economic growth, and climate goals.
Every successful refurbishment strengthens Ontario’s clean energy advantage and delivers reliable power while supporting thousands of highly-skilled jobs and driving economic growth across the province.
Bruce Power’s Life‑Extension Program directly and indirectly supports approximately 22,000 jobs annually and contributes billions of dollars each year to Ontario’s economy.
Bruce Power marks Unit 3's return to service at Norther Transformer Corporation; among those at the event, are Bruce Power chief operating officer and executive vice-president James Scongack (left) of Bruce Power, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson (second from left), Ontario energy minister Stephen Lecce (right), and Bruce Power president and CEO Eric Chassard (third from right)
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