Ontario’s Bruce Power has signed a multi-year contract with Swedish-Swiss multinational electrical engineering giant ABB to supply advanced technology that enhances the lifespan and efficiency of eight nuclear units.
The contracts will see ABB upgrade existing excitation systems at Bruce Power’s A and B stations with ABB’s UNITROL 6000 X-power technology.
Bruce Power “is refurbishing and modernizing its fleet on-time and on-budget, while protecting Ontario jobs and driving more investment here at home,” according to Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines.
“This made-in-Canada partnership between Bruce Power and ABB strengthens Ontario’s position as a global leader in clean, reliable nuclear energy,” stated Lecce.
Bruce Power and ABB “are coming together on this made-in-Canada contract to upgrade our excitation systems and deliver clean, reliable energy to the people of Ontario for decades to come,” says James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Chief Operating Officer. “This contract supports good jobs, the economy, and Canada’s energy independence.”
Scongack says ABB was selected by Bruce Power for its expertise in the sector and has been manufacturing excitation systems for more than five decades.
ABB “is proud to be a partner in Bruce Power’s long-term investment in the future of low-carbon energy in Canada,” according to Danilo Moresco, Head of Power Reliability at ABB’s Energy Industries division.
“The continued global demand for secure, low-carbon electricity means that the modernization and life extension of critical nuclear infrastructure is essential,” noted Moresco, “and we remain dedicated to supporting the energy transition through technology innovation and more sustainable solutions.”
Engineering and design for the excitation project will take place over the next two years, with the first systems expected on site by the end of 2027 and deliveries spanning to 2033.
With more than 140 years in business, Zurich-based ABB employs 3,300 people in Canada with eight locations based in Ontario.
Formed in 2001, Bruce Power today employs 4,200.