In December 2015, Bruce Power reached an agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to advance a long-term investment program which would refurbish its nuclear fleet and secure the site’s operation until 2064.
The Life-Extension Program started on January 1, 2016 and involves the gradual replacement of older systems in the company’s eight reactor units during regularly scheduled maintenance outages.
As part of the Life-Extension Program, Bruce Power is carrying out its intensive Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project. The MCR Project began in January 2020 and focuses on the replacement of key reactor components in Units 3-8, including steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes and feeder tubes.
The program will secure an estimated 22,000 jobs directly and indirectly from operations, and an additional 5,000 jobs annually throughout the investment program, injecting billions into Ontario’s economy.

“Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program will provide quality jobs and substantial economic benefit, while positioning Ontario as a leader in nuclear innovation and expertise.”
Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project
The MCR Project began with Unit 6 in January 2020 and is followed by Unit 3 in 2023 and Unit 4 in 2025. Each refurbishment must be of the highest quality, shorter in duration and ultimately more cost effective than the last.
The life extension of each unit will add approximately 30 to 35 years of operational life, while other investments will add a combined 30 reactor years of operational life to the units. Extending the operational life of the Bruce Power units will ensure Ontario families and businesses have long-term electricity price stability.
More about the MCR Project »
DID YOU KNOW
Each one of Bruce Power’s reactors is capable of generating enough low-cost, reliable, safe and carbon-free electricity to meet the annual needs of a city the size of Ottawa.
“MCR is so much more than a refurbishment project that will power the province for years to come. It’s a project which will empower people and communities now and into the future.”
Eric Chassard, Executive Vice-President, Projects and Engineering
MCR: Unit 6 Project Overview
Unit 6

Unit 6 Shutdown (Breaker Open)
Phase 1 – Defuel
Defueling will take place in two phases. Workers begin with the “flow defuel” method for the first stage and then transition into using BRIMS, or the Bruce Reactor Inspection Maintenance System. This system enables shutdown of the heat transport pumps which are expensive to run. BRIMS will reduce the defuel timeline from 74 days to 65.5 days.
Decay heat is too great to use BRIMS directly after shut down. This is why the flow defuel method is employed to start.
Phase 2 – Bulkhead and shielding install
Protective shielding and 16 bulkheads are installed to isolate Unit 6 from the operating units. By installing the shielding, workers can remain in the vault when the Fueling Machine Trolley performs spent fuel runs, which generally occurs one time every 24 hour.
Once the bulkheads are installed, vault pressure testing is completed to ensure Unit 6 has been fully isolated from the three remaining operating units.
16 bulkheads; 7.2 tons each
Phase 3 – PHT Drain & Dry, Cut & Cap, Moderator Drain & Dry
Crews will drain and dry the Moderator and Primary Heat Transport (PHT) systems. These are the last key milestones before the major component replacement begins.
PHT Drain and Dry will be performed in parallel with the bulkheads installation. Moderator Drain and Dry will follow PHT drying and will overlap with beginning of feeder removal.
Phase 5 – Vault work
This phase of work is the heart of the project. It includes the removal and replacement of the pressure tubes, calandria tubes, as well as the lower and upper feeders.
This work is primarily completed by Shoreline Power Group.
460 feeder tubes, 480 fuel channels, and 480 calandria tubes are removed and replaced.
Phase 6 – Fuel load
Fuel load marks the beginning of the end for the Unit 6 project. The main work is complete and the CNSC has signed off allowing Bruce Power to begin loading the fuel. This is the point that MCR starts to hand the unit back to Operations and the systems start to become live again.
The 480 fuel channels will get 12 fuel bundles each.
Pressure test
A hydrostatic pressure test of the newly installed pressure tubes, feeder tubes, and boilers proves that we’ve met the requirements.
Prior to bulkhead removal, vault pressure testing is completed to ensure that containment for Unit 6 has been properly reestablished.
Phase 7 – Return to service
The Return to Service process ensures that all systems, structures, and components meet the design, performance, and licensing requirements to return the unit to full power following the Unit 6 outage. The process includes system window closeout, system readiness for service confirmations, hot commissioning, and unit start up.
Sync
All secondary steam and feedwater systems are tested and in full service allowing the generator to be synchronized to the provincial grid.