Bruce Power has successfully installed all eight massive steam generators in Unit 3, marking a key milestone in its Life-Extension Program and Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project.
The final step in the process was completed on February 12, with the placement of the steam drum atop the newly installed generators. The Unit 3 MCR outage, which began in 2023, remains on track for completion in 2026, ensuring that the refurbished unit will provide reliable electricity for Ontario’s growing energy demands.
“This was a huge undertaking that required more than a year-and-a-half of planning just to get to the execution phase, which was delivered safely and successfully through a high degree of collaboration,” said Rob Hoare, Bruce Power’s Vice-President of MCR Execution. “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in supporting this successful outcome, including our partners and the skilled tradespeople who helped make this possible.”
Replacing the steam generators was a highly complex process. Over the past six months, Bruce Power and the Steam Generator Replacement Team (SGRT) — a joint venture between Aecon and SGT (Framatome Canada Ltd. and United Canadian Operations Ltd.) — orchestrated the removal and installation of these massive 100-tonne generators. The operation required lifting the old generators out of Bruce A station through the roof using Mammoet’s towering 100-metre-high PTC-35 crane. The new generators were then carefully placed inside, following the temporary relocation of 300-tonne steam drums for inspection and maintenance.
With a $250-million privately funded budget, approximately 97 per cent of the cost was spent on Ontario-based parts and labour, highlighting the nuclear sector’s economic contribution. SGRT’s workforce peaked at 425 people, including 320 skilled tradespeople and professionals in engineering, project management, and quality control.
“This milestone demonstrates the success of our team on the Bruce MCR project in executing steam generator replacements safely, on time and with excellent quality,” said Aaron Johnson, Senior Vice-President, Nuclear, Aecon Group Inc.
Bruce Power is already preparing for upcoming MCR work on Units 5, 7, and 8. In August 2024, the company and SGRT signed a $700-million contract to replace steam generators in these remaining units.
“We’re committed to bringing Framatome’s innovation, expertise and lessons learned to each steam generator replacement,” said Erik Dorman, Executive Vice-President of Framatome’s Installed Base Business Unit in North America.
With Ontario’s electricity demand projected to increase by as much as 75 per cent, Bruce Power’s MCR project is critical to ensuring a stable energy future for the province.
“Our team brings innovative solutions, expertise and lessons learned to improve performance on each steam generator replacement working with Bruce Power as part of SGRT,” said Art Lembo, President of SGT.