Bechtel partnership wins Canada hydroelectric contract

A partnership made up of Bechtel, Barnard Construction and EllisDon has been awarded a CA$ 1.4 billion (US$ 1.25 billion) contract to build the Keeyask Generating Station on the lower Nelson River in northern Manitoba, Canada.

BBE Hydro Constructors Limited Partnership was awarded the contract by Manitoba Hydro. Work is expected to start on the project later this year.

The Keeyask Generating Station will have a 695 MW capacity and produce on average 4,400 GW hours of electricity, enough to power 400,000 homes.

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 plant will begin power production in 2019 and will be fully completed by 2020.

“We are very pleased to have Bechtel on board as part of the group for this contract,” said Bruce Barrett, vice president of Manitoba Hydro.

“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.”

Keeyask is upstream from Limestone, the region’s largest generating station, which Bechtel completed ahead of schedule and under budget 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,” added Brian Sedar, manager of Bechtel’s global water business.