Business

Progress continues at the 695-MW Keeyask Generating Station

The C$6.5 billion 695-MW Keeyask Generating Station is currently being constructed 725 km northeast of Winnipeg, on the lower Nelson River in northern Manitoba, Canada, and it is being developed by the Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership (KHLP).  
Progress continues at the 695-MW Keeyask Generating Station

The C$6.5 billion 695-MW Keeyask Generating Station is currently being constructed 725 km northeast of Winnipeg, on the lower Nelson River in northern Manitoba, Canada, and it is being developed by the Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership (KHLP).

The partnership is between Manitoba Hydro and four Manitoba First Nations: Tataskweyak Cree Nation and War Lake First Nation (working together as the Cree Nation Partners), Fox Lake Cree Nation and York Factory First Nation.

When fully commissioned in 2021, Keeyask will be a major source of renewable energy, producing an average of 4,400 GWh of electricity each year — enough to power 400,000 homes, according to Manitoba Hydro, which is responsible for constructing and operating the project on behalf of the KHLP. 

The General Civil Contract, the largest contract on the project, was awarded to BBE Hydro Constructors Limited Partnership (BBE) for $1.4 billion in March 2014. BBE is a limited partnership of Bechtel Canada Co., Barnard Construction of Canada Ltd. and EllisDon Civil Ltd. 

In May, four of the five tower cranes required to construct the station were erected on site and major concrete placements that included about 180,000 cubic meters of concrete were placed, primarily on the powerhouse and spillway structures.

Work also continues on the dike system for the station and a new south access road to the site from the nearby town of Gillam.

Approximately 2,000 people will be employed at the site during peak construction this summer.