The Pickering A restart project has fallen behind schedule again. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) now expects the first unit to begin operating at the end of 2002, or early next year. The remaining three units are estimated to be returned at approximately six to nine month intervals thereafter.
OPG's first quarter report said that expenditure on the project has reached about C$730 million ($460 million). The estimated additional cost to complete the first unit is C$230 million ($145 million), with a further C$300-400 million ($190-250 million) for each of the other three units.
OPG originally estimated that the first unit would come online in late 2001. Last year, OPG said the total cost of the project would come to C$1.3 billion ($810 million). The 2060MWe station has remained idle since 1997.
