Burns & McDonnell-Canada has been awarded a 5-year contract by AltaLink, L.P., to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for a range of high-voltage transmission line and substation projects throughout the Province of Alberta, Canada. Headquartered in Calgary, AltaLink employs 700 and owns and operates the electrical transmission system serving approximately 85 percent of the residents of Alberta.
The transmission projects will be determined based on need assessments and permitting approvals. Though the project list may be modified, many are expected to address power demands from oil sands development and emerging areas of population growth. Others will assist in integrating new generation from wind resource areas into the Provincial grid. The contract includes a 5-year option for additional project support following completion of the initial 5-year contract in 2017.
“With the historic investments now planned for the electrical transmission infrastructure in Alberta and throughout Canada, Burns & McDonnell-Canada is excited and honored to have been awarded this opportunity,” said Walt Womack, President of Burns & McDonnell’s Transmission & Distribution Division. “We are ready to get to work in securing reliable and clean power for the citizens of Alberta for many years to come.”
Burns & McDonnell-Canada will work with Provincial and Canadian suppliers and contractors on various projects as they are prequalified based on qualifications, safety, and quality performance. In addition, a number of local employment opportunities are anticipated in Calgary and other locations as Burns & McDonnell staffs up to support the various projects.
Burns & McDonnell has extensive experience in power transmission project development including regional planning in various ISO/RTOs throughout North America, routing and permitting, land acquisition, community and stakeholder relations, and finance support. This experience complements its traditional project engineering, procurement services, quality control / assurance, schedule control, cost control constructability process reviews, risk management, construction management and other construction services including testing and commissioning.