Bruce Power has awarded a contract worth $130 million to Cambridge’s BWXT Canada for the fabrication and supply of five replacement feeders at the electric company’s nuclear plant.

The contract is being issued under Bruce Power’s Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project, which calls for the replacement of five units at the plant, as well as ongoing inspection, maintenance, replacement and refurbishment activities.

“We have a made-in-Ontario technology and are announcing this ten-year contract with the confidence that BWXT, and the men and women of United Steelworkers Local 2859 will continue to deliver high quality, on time and on budget components for our Major Component Replacement Project,” said Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck. “Through our Life-Extension Program and MCR Project, we are securing an important source of clean electricity to power the province and help meet our climate change goals.”

“This 10-year contract will allow us to make investments in our workforce and facility,” added John MacQuarrie, president of BWXT Canada. “Thanks to this contract and others related to nuclear plant life-extension in Ontario we are creating more highly-skilled, long-term jobs in our community.”  

The feeders will be manufactured by members of United Steelworkers Local 2859 at BWXT Canada’s facility in Cambridge. Pre-production qualification work for the project is currently underway, production manufacturing will commence in the fall of this year, and the project is expected to complete in 2031.

“The United Steelworkers are proud to represent the almost 300 members of Local 2859 who have played an integral part in supporting nuclear projects since BWXT entered the industry over 60 years ago,” said Director of United Steelworkers District 6, Myles Sullivan. “This contract represents nearly a decade of high-skilled jobs for our members, and I am confident in their ability to successfully execute this work.”

Ontario Minister of Energy Todd Smith praised the deal.

“Ontario continues to build a clean and reliable electricity supply, while adding new good-paying jobs in the energy sector,” said Smith. “This contract is good news for Ontario consumers and workers. In addition to helping create new jobs in Ontario, the contract is also helping to extend the operational life of Bruce Power, ensuring Ontario families and businesses have access to clean, reliable electricity for decades to come.”