March 1, 2012 – Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has awarded a contract to carry out the Definition Phase for the Darlington Retube and Feeder Replacement (RFR) Project to the joint venture of SNC-Lavalin and Aecon Industrial.

“We are pleased to once again be partnered with Aecon. We have a great history of working together and successfully delivering projects,” said Patrick Lamarre, executive VP, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. “This award demonstrates OPG’s confidence in this team and our capabilities in the nuclear industry.

The overall RFR Project consists of two phases: a Definition Phase from 2012 to 2016 and an Execution Phase from 2016 to 2023. The Definition Phase includes the construction of a full-scale reactor mock-up to simulate key elements of the refurbishment work, and the development, procurement and testing of specialized tooling required for the project. It further includes the development of a detailed scope, schedule and budget for the Execution Phase, as well as procurement of reactor components for the first unit to be refurbished.

The total value of the Definition Phase is estimated at over $600 million. The value of the Execution Phase will be determined once the Definition Phase is completed.

The Execution Phase, which will occur after the OPG board and the joint venture agree to transition from the Definition Phase, will involve the refurbishment of all four reactor cores on a sequential basis using the tools and methods that were developed and tested during the Definition Phase.