Texas-based Quanta Services has been selected by NextBridge Infrastructure to construct the Ontario East-West Tie Line Project, a double-circuit, power transmission line in northwestern Ontario in Canada.
NextBridge is a partnership formed by affiliates of Enbridge, NextEra Energy Canada and OMERS Infrastructure with an intention to take part in the Ontario transmission market.
Quanta, which was selected through a competitive bid process, says that Valard Construction, its operating subsidiary will deliver comprehensive construction services for the project.
Valard’s services in this regard include project management, material management, construction permitting and the installation of about 467km of double circuit 230kv transmission line.
Valard Construction president and CEO Adam Budzinski said: “We have extensive relationships with local indigenous communities and look forward to working with them on this project.
“Additionally, Valard is known for its expertise in building infrastructure in an environmentally sensitive way.”
The new transmission line will link Wawa Transformer Station, Marathon Transformer Station and Lakehead Transformer Station, all owned by Hydro One.
The objective of the project is to ensure the long-term reliability of the power supply in the northwest region of Ontario. In particular, the new transmission line is expected to meet the strong demand for electricity from the industrial activities in the area, especially in the mining sector.
Quanta says that construction on the project is likely to start in late 2018 and could be completed in late 2020.
Quanta president and CEO Duke Austin said: “We have a long track record of safely and cost-effectively executing large electric transmission projects in Canada and look forward to applying our expertise to this project.
"Further, the project is expected to create up to 700 jobs during construction and provide additional economic benefits to the local community through the purchase of goods and services necessary to support operations."
The project will be built parallel to an existing double-circuit 230kV transmission line corridor. However, it will avoid certain sensitive features such as the Pukaskwa National Park and others which have been crossed by the existing transmission line.