A Bechtel-led team, BBE Hydro Constructors Limited Partnership, has been awarded a contract worth approximately CAN $1.4 billion (£758m) by Manitoba Hydro to build the Keeyask Generating Station on the lower Nelson River in northern Manitoba, Canada.
The Keeyask Generating Station will have a 695-megawatt capacity and produce on average 4,400 gigawatt hours of electricity—enough to power 400,000 homes. The team, which comprises Bechtel, Barnard Construction, and EllisDon, expects to start construction on the project later this year, subject to regulatory approvals.
Commmenting on the deal, Brian Sedar, manager of Bechtel’s global water business, said:
“Keeyask is upstream from Limestone, the region’s largest generating station, which we completed ahead of schedule and under budget back in 1992. We will draw from our experience and look forward to working closely with our partners and Manitoba Hydro to ensuring the success of this project.”
BBE Hydro Constructors will be responsible for building a seven-unit powerhouse, earthen structures, rock excavation, electrical and mechanical work, and the construction and removal of temporary cofferdams needed to manage the river flow during construction.
The first power from the plant is expected as early as 2019 with final completion scheduled for 2020. The Keeyask project has been developed by Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership, a collaborative effort between Manitoba Hydro and the local communities.
With more than 80 years’ global experience, Bechtel has delivered some of the largest and most complex water and hydroelectric projects in the world. It has completed more than 45 hydroelectric power plants, including the James Bay and Churchill Falls hydroelectric power plants in Canada, and the Uribante-Caparo generating station in Venezuela.
Bruce Barrett, vice president of Manitoba Hydro said:
“We are very pleased to have Bechtel on board as part of the group for this contract. They know the river, they know the area, and we expect their experience with past projects in Manitoba’s north will be a real benefit to the joint-venture group.”
“Every one of these companies is a leader in their field, and as a group we think they offer real value to the Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership and Manitoba Hydro in terms of ensuring that this project is completed safely—as well as on time and on budget.”
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