en.Wedoany.com Reported - Bruce Power's Unit 3 has returned to service more than seven months ahead of schedule following the completion of its Major Component Replacement (MCR). The MCR project for this unit was completed safely, continuing Ontario's record of delivering nuclear refurbishments on time, on budget, and with high quality, supported by the local skilled workforce, industry partners, and Canada's domestic supply chain.

The company expects to return approximately C$150 million (about US$107 million) to Ontario ratepayers through the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). Under the terms of the refurbishment agreement between Bruce Power and the IESO, Ontario residents benefit from savings generated by the life-extension program and the plant's operation.

Ontario Energy and Mining Minister Stephen Lecce stated that Ontario is solidifying its position as a Tier 1 nuclear jurisdiction, with the program set to put 150,000 Canadians to work and over 90% of expenditures labeled as "Made in Canada." Supported by the world's best workers, engineers, and technicians, the province is delivering reliable, affordable, and clean electricity to keep the economy stronger and more self-reliant.

The successful return of Unit 3 continues a series of strong milestones for the project, which has drawn on lessons learned from earlier refurbishments, such as Unit 6, which was also completed ahead of schedule and under budget, with key phases completed early. Among several innovations, the Unit 3 MCR marked the first use of robotic tools to rebuild a CANDU reactor on the reactor core face. Bruce Power and its partners also set a record for calandria tube removal in a CANDU refurbishment, completing the task 11 days ahead of schedule.

The eight pressurized heavy-water CANDU reactor units at the Bruce site in Ontario (Units 1-4 at Bruce A, and Units 4-8 at Bruce B) entered commercial operation between 1977 and 1987. Bruce Power's C$13 billion (about US$10 billion) life-extension program, launched in 2016, encompasses asset management and MCR. The MCR began with Unit 6 and involves Units 3 through 8, aiming to extend the site's operating life to 2064. Currently, with the MCR for Unit 4 already underway, Bruce Power's life-extension program (refurbishing Units 3 through 8) has reached the halfway point.

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