Burns & McDonnell initially completed the early contractor involvement, which provided the scope definition and the regulatory approval for the power station. We then responded to the competitive EPC process and were awarded the project in November 2020. Burns & McDonnell is currently providing full EPC services for the Great Plains Power Station project, including:
- Engineering design of all equipment, plant systems and plant facilities
- Equipment and construction subcontract procurement
- Project management, site construction management, quality control and safety management
- Facility commissioning and startup
The single-gas turbine generator, heat recovery steam generator, steam turbine generator and associated auxiliary equipment, piping and electrical equipment will all be housed in an engineered power generation building. The process water used in the steam cycle will be generated using an on-site water treatment plant, and steam from the process is being condensed via an air-cooled condenser.
The project poses a variety of unique challenges the team is addressing in our detailed design and through project execution. Due to the extreme cold temperatures in the region, much of the piping has to be buried 2.5 metres to 2.8 metres below the surface, to provide added insulation and prevent waste and wastewater from freezing. Additionally, plant wastewater will be routed to the city of Moose Jaw’s wastewater lagoons adjacent to the facility to take advantage of the nearby wastewater treatment facility.
Logistically, to facilitate an efficient on-site construction schedule, a number of plant components are planned to be fabricated and assembled off-site and shipped to the project in larger pieces. This will include the heat recovery steam generator stair tower and stack and the demineralized water storage tank.
The Great Plains Power Station project also has a strong commitment to supporting the local and Indigenous workforce. Throughout every phase of the project, the team has strived to employ local and/or Indigenous firms and other local labor to fulfill project needs. Construction began in March 2021, with over 1 million hours expected to be logged on-site. The project has an anticipated completion date of April 2024
