A joint venture between SNC-Lavalin and Aecon Group has been awarded a $2.8bn nuclear refurbishment contract in Ontario, Canada.
The equal partnership was awarded the contract for the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (pictured) by Ontario Power Generation (OPG).
The team will work on the execution phase of the "re-tube and feeder replacement" project at the station.
They have previously worked on the definition phase, which included the construction of a full-scale reactor mock-up facility to simulate key elements of the refurbishment.
The RFR project involves the replacement of main reactor components using tools and methods that were developed and tested during the definition phase.
Each of the four reactors will be taken out of service sequentially for about three years to allow for the replacement of components.
Sandy Taylor, president of Power at SNC-Lavalin, said: "Following almost four years of preparation and planning, this amendment to proceed with the physical refurbishment work demonstrates OPG’s confidence in our joint venture team and in our capabilities in the nuclear industry."
Preston Swafford, SNC-Lavalin’s chief nuclear officer, said: "Our portion of the project is expected to create approximately 300 jobs within SNC-Lavalin and another 500 jobs in Ontario."
The station currently provides 20% of Ontario’s electricity – enough to serve two million people and is schedules to remain in service for another 30 years. It will take about 10 years to complete the work on all four units.
Image: The Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (Hugin/Wikimedia Commons)
