Bruce Power suppliers advance ‘Made in Ontario’ economic recovery, mark key contracts for Major Component Replacement

Today, Bruce Power and its supply chain partners are celebrating several key contracts in Bruce Power’s Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project, which are advancing the company’s strategy to contribute to economic revitalization in Ontario.

“Last July, Bruce Power announced a $3 billion ‘Made in Ontario’ plan to invest in Ontario jobs and economic prosperity through our Life-Extension Program, medical isotope development, and asset optimization strategy,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and CEO. “By investing in an Ontario-based supply chain, Bruce Power is supporting economic growth locally and helping to bring homegrown technology to the forefront of worldwide nuclear innovation.”

Hon. Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, offered his congratulations to Bruce Power suppliers ATS Automation, Cameco, and SGRT for their roles in advancing Bruce Power’s MCR Project.

“Recently, our government laid out its Build Ontario plan to drive our economic recovery and prosperity for every region of our province,” said Minister Fedeli. “Ontario’s nuclear industry, including Bruce Power and its supply chain, is a key partner in this effort, as evidenced by Bruce Power’s $3 billion economic recovery plan announced earlier this year. These contracts mean good jobs for highly-skilled workers and economic activity for communities across the province.”

Hon. Todd Smith, Minister of Energy, echoed his congratulations and support.

“Ontario is seizing every opportunity to be a world leader in nuclear technologies and solutions, thanks to Bruce Power, and our supply chain partners like SGRT, ATS, and Cameco,” said Minister Smith. “Today’s announcement ensures that people have access to the job and economic opportunities presented by nuclear power, while helping to bring homegrown technology to the forefront of worldwide nuclear innovation.”

Cameco completes calandria tube manufacturing for Unit 3 MCR.

Cameco Fuel Manufacturing (CFM) and Bruce Power are celebrating the completion of calandria tube manufacturing for the upcoming Unit 3 MCR, which is scheduled to begin in 2023. The calandria tube order is part of a $62 million contract that was announced in 2017 and will see CFM produce all of the calandria tubes and annulus spacers needed for the six Bruce Power units undergoing MCR between 2020 and 2033. CFM delivered the first full reactor set of 480 calandria tubes ahead of the Unit 6 MCR, which began in January 2020.

“Bruce Power’s MCR project continues to make substantial contributions to Ontario’s economic recovery and we are proud to be part of this important work today, and into the future,” said Tim Gitzel, Cameco’s President and CEO. “As we celebrate another important milestone, we recognize it is the dedication and hard work of the many talented people involved that are making Ontario’s clean energy future a reality.”

Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Environment Conservation and Parks, and MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, offered his support to Cameco and Ontario’s nuclear industry.

“Cameco is vital to Ontario’s nuclear industry and the positive economic impacts of this industry and the Bruce Power MCR are felt right here in Northumberland County,” said Minister Piccini. “I’m proud to celebrate Cameco’s contributions to the Bruce Power MCR, and I’m proud of the local skilled workforce for their hard work and dedication to producing quality components for our nuclear reactors.

“Our government supports Ontario’s nuclear industry and the safe, reliable, clean energy it generates,” the Minister continued. “We have a strong nuclear supply chain in Ontario, which is supporting Canada’s largest private infrastructure and clean energy project. Thank you to Cameco for your part in the refurbishment, which is helping to power the province.”

ATS Automation awarded contract for Unit 3 MCR

Bruce Power and Cambridge-based ATS Automation have solidified a $30 million contract to automate the installation and inspection of calandria tubes for the Unit 3 MCR – an industry-first for a CANDU nuclear refurbishment.

“Our team partnered closely with Bruce Power to achieve a common purpose, working together as one team,” said Udo Panenka, President of ATS Industrial Automation. “This type of collaboration demonstrates how innovation and technology can advance refurbishment efforts, delivering the first fully automated system for fuel channel installation in a CANDU nuclear reactor, while ensuring the health and safety of workers and the dependable operation of a critical energy source.”

ATS has played an important role in Bruce Power’s MCR Project by designing, testing, and manufacturing all the automation systems used to support the safe removal of pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and other components.

SGRT awarded contract for steam generator replacement

Building on the successful work by the Steam Generator Replacement Team (SGRT) on Unit 6, the joint venture between Aecon and SGT (a partnership between Framatome and United Engineers & Constructors) was awarded a contract for the replacement of eight steam generators in each of Units 3 and 4.

“We are incredibly proud of the progress that was made to safely advance Bruce Power’s Unit 6 MCR project in 2021,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, President and CEO, Aecon Group Inc., on behalf of SGRT. “With SGRT also being awarded a contract extension for Units 3 and 4 this year, we look forward to working with Bruce Power to continue executing in 2022 – ensuring the long-term future of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, continued job creation, and the supply of clean, reliable, low-cost energy for Ontarians.”

About Bruce Power
Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable, low-cost nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and life-saving medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.