Bruce Power has officially begun loading fuel into the Unit 3 reactor, marking a key milestone in the unit’s Major Component Replacement outage and a critical step toward returning the reactor to service.
This work will help supply Ontario families and businesses with reliable, low-cost electricity.
The fuel loading process is proceeding following approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). With the unit moving into the final phase of return-to-service activities, major refurbishment and construction work have now been completed. Over the coming weeks, operations staff will refuel the reactor’s 480 fuel channels with 5,760 fuel bundles, followed by system testing, inspections, and commissioning before reconnecting Unit 3 to the province’s electricity grid.
Once returned to service in the coming months, the refurbished unit is expected to generate enough clean, reliable electricity to power a city roughly the size of Brampton for decades. This will strengthen Ontario’s energy independence while supporting economic growth.
“Bruce Power is exceeding milestones and delivering refurbishments that further position Ontario as a global nuclear leader,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “This achievement reflects the strength of our skilled workforce and our commitment to delivering clean, reliable, made-in-Ontario nuclear power with over 90 per cent of every dollar staying in the country.”
Lessons learned from the successful Unit 6 Major Component Replacement outage are being applied to ensure a safe and efficient fuel loading process for Unit 3. Bruce Power emphasizes that advancing the fuel load safely and efficiently will help meet Ontario’s growing electricity demand with clean, affordable, and made-in-Canada power.
“Advancing the Unit 3 MCR fuel load safely and efficiently to return the power plant to service on plan and with quality strengthens Ontario’s energy security by ensuring we can meet growing electricity demand with clean, affordable, dependable and made-in-Canada power,” said Eric Chassard, Bruce Power President and Chief Executive Officer. “Bruce Power and its amazing partners, supply chain and skilled workforce, as well as the entire nuclear industry, are completing projects to a high standard with disciplined delivery to power Ontario and its economy for decades into the future.”
Unit 3 is the second of six reactors undergoing refurbishment under Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program, Ontario’s largest privately funded clean energy infrastructure project. The program is designed to extend the life of the site through 2064 while supporting the province’s climate objectives and long-term energy planning.
The refurbishment projects provide real economic benefits, creating highly skilled jobs and strengthening Canada’s supply chain. Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program directly and indirectly supports approximately 22,000 jobs each year and contributes billions of dollars to Ontario’s economy. More than 60 supplier partners now operate in Bruce, Grey, and Huron counties, leaving a lasting economic impact beyond the site.
As the fuel loading process continues, Bruce Power remains focused on safety, quality, and execution excellence, ensuring that Unit 3 returns to service safely and reliably, ready to provide affordable electricity to Ontario for generations to come.
