AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. has been awarded a seven-year contract by Rio Tinto for the refurbishment of the Isle-Maligne hydropower plant in Alma, Quebec. Under the contract, AtkinsRéalis will provide execution engineering, integrated procurement, and construction management services.
The project aims to extend the operational life of the plant, which was commissioned in 1926 and was once the largest hydropower facility in the world. The refurbishment will involve replacing eight of the plant’s 12 turbine-alternator groups and upgrading associated water passages. Additional upgrades will be made to the plant’s architectural, structural, electrical, and mechanical systems.
“We’ve specialized in executing large-scale hydropower projects for over a century and the life extension work on this historic hydropower plant will be guided by our commitment to sustainability and our purpose – to engineer a better future for our planet and its people,” said Ian L. Edwards, President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis.
AtkinsRéalis will deploy cross-regional teams to carry out the work using advanced technologies and best practices.
“Our long-standing partnership with Rio Tinto is based on effective collaboration and our proven ability to work and deliver on complex, high-impact projects,” said Stéphanie Vaillancourt, President, Canada, AtkinsRéalis. “Collaboration, excellence, resilience and health-safety will be the driving forces behind our work on this project. These principles are essential for empowering the surrounding communities and advancing the development of a low-carbon economy.”
The company has previously worked on hydropower refurbishment projects including Rio Tinto’s Shipshaw Expansion, Ontario Power Generation’s Calabogie Redevelopment, and BC Hydro’s John Hart Generating Station Replacement.
Earlier this month, Rio Tinto announced it will invest US$1.2 billion (CA$1.7 billion) to modernise the Isle-Maligne plant.
