Peter Sutherland Sr. Generating Station

Ontario Power Generation and Coral Rapids Power Corporation (a company wholly owned by Taykwa Tagamou Nation) are equity partners in the Peter Sutherland Sr. Generating Station. Named after a respected community elder, the 28 MW hydroelectric power station is remotely located at the confluence of the Abitibi River and New Post Creek within the Taykwa Tagamou Nation traditional territory of northeastern Ontario. A portion of the flows from New Post Creek have been harnessed to provide clean, renewable hydroelectric energy.

KGS Group worked closely with Ontario Power Generation and Coral Rapids Power through the conceptual and preliminary design stages, ultimately acting as the owner’s representative through the design-build construction phase that was performed by Kiewit and Aecon. KGS Group staff were onsite throughout construction assisting and collaborating with the owners and contractor team.

Construction was completed safely, on budget, and ahead of schedule. The project is not only an investment into Ontario’s clean energy future; it is a symbol of reconciliation and the culmination of a strong partnership between Taykwa Tagamou Nation and Ontario Power Generation that will benefit the community for generations.

Expertise

Hydropower and Dams

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Project Highlights

  • Powerhouse construction with two horizontal‑axis Francis turbines with a total plant capacity 28 MW
  • Gated intake structure and approach channel with controlled conveyance from New Post Creek
  • 4 m diameter steel penstock 250 m long
  • 520 m long embankment dam with a cement-bentonite core
  • Two-bay gated spillway

Mayo B Hydro Enhancement Project

KGS Group was retained by the Yukon Energy Corporation to review feasible hydro projects in the territory, which culminated in the selection of the Mayo B project. To develop the $120 million Mayo B, KGS entered into an early contractor involvement alliance partnership, sharing the financial risks and project rewards. This partnership was the first of its kind in the Canadian hydroelectric industry.

We conducted a feasibility study as well as completed the preliminary and final design of a new powerhouse downstream of the existing Mayo hydroelectric development. Reusing the already in-place dam and intake structure, the work also included connecting and conveying water to the new powerhouse through a new 3.8 km tunnel and penstock system.

Overcoming challenging conditions to make way for the new tunnel and “tie it” into 60-year old infrastructure, we used careful mapping and characterization. This helped support concurrent tunnel design and excavation, and slope stabilization. Precision LiDAR 3-D survey techniques and modelling were also integral to the work.

Within a remote, sub-arctic climate, KGS was also responsible for on-site construction management including all contract administration and quality assurance for the civil, mechanical and electrical works, as well as the supply and installation of the turbines and generator equipment.

As a result, total hydro power generation capacity went from 5.4 MW to 12 MW, increasing Yukon’s renewable and sustainable electricity generation capability. The on-budget, on-schedule project also displaces diesel generation, offsetting up to $10 million in annual fuel costs and eliminating approximately 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Expertise

Hydropower and Dams

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Project Highlights

  • A new downstream powerhouse and 3.8 km tunnel and penstock system
  • Integrated new infrastructure with the existing 60-year-old dam and intake infrastructure
  • Generation capacity increased from 5.4 MW to 12 MW
  • Up to $10 million/year fuel cost offset
  • 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ avoided per year
  • $120M project completed on time and on schedule

Whitehorse Diesel-LNG Conversion

While the Yukon draws the bulk of its energy from renewable hydroelectric and wind power, the territory’s electrical grid required a backup source of power to meet consumer needs. Yukon Energy retained KGS to modernize the existing diesel system to meet peak demand and maintain territory-wide service for residents.

A new liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled backup power generating station and associated infrastructure was constructed adjacent to Yukon Energy’s existing primary power generating station in Whitehorse, Yukon. Commissioned in 2015, the project site includes two modular LNG fueled reciprocating generators intended to replace Yukon Energy’s aging diesel generating equipment and to provide flexible and reliable backup power to supplement Yukon’s other power sources.

Expertise

Industrial

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Project Highlights

  • An LNG backup station was built with two modular reciprocating generators
  • First use of LNG in Yukon
  • Lower greenhouse gas emissions than the previous diesel system, long‑term ratepayer savings and improved reliability and peak support

Central Manitoba Mine Remediation

The Central Manitoba Mine, an abandoned mine site in Nopiming Provincial Park, was a top remediation priority for the Province of Manitoba because of the presence of major hazards to the public and environment. The site contained acid-generating tailings, waste rock, abandoned infrastructure and unsafe mine openings that lead to a network of underground mine development.

KGS Group spearheaded the site’s transformation. This project involved the development of comprehensive closure plans, the design of innovative remediation solutions, and construction administration.

The result: public safety was ensured, health hazards eliminated, and the site was restored to satisfactory conditions, mitigating extensive contamination and environmental risks.

Expertise

Earth and Environment

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Project Highlights

  • Site assessment, risk evaluation and closure planning
  • Containment and treatment of acid‑generating tailings and waste rock
  • Securing unsafe mine openings, decommissioning abandoned infrastructure and debris removal
  • Construction administration, contractor oversight and regulatory coordination

Great-West Life Daycare

KGS Group was retained by Prairie Architects to help turn the historic Milner House into a new childcare facility. To address the need for childcare within both the company and the community, Great-West Life initiated the adaptive re-use of the vacant 2-1/2 storey house.

KGS provided geotechnical, mechanical and electrical consulting services for the design, construction, and commissioning of the new daycare building which was designed with a highly sustainable approach. In fact, the facility achieved LEED platinum, the highest level of LEED certification possible. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Key sustainable features integrated into the facility’s design include: energy efficient geothermal heating and cooling, LED lighting, water use reduction, displacement ventilation and low to zero emitting materials for healthy indoor air quality.

The result is a safe, resilient and welcoming environment that demonstrates how heritage renewal can serve the community.

Expertise

Buildings and Spaces

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Project Highlights

  • Adaptive reuse of the two and a half‑storey Milner House
  • LEED Platinum certification
  • Geothermal heating/cooling, LED lighting and displacement ventilation
  • Water use reduction, low/zero‑emitting materials and healthier indoor air
  • First heritage building in Manitoba converted to a childcare facility
  • Second heritage building to achieve LEED certification
  • Great‑West Life’s first LEED‑certified building in Manitoba
  • Among Winnipeg’s largest daycare facilities

Seine Riverbank Stabilization at the Branch 1 Aqueduct

Riverbank movements near the Seine River crossing threatened the City of Winnipeg’s 100‑year‑old Branch 1 Aqueduct, which carries 40% of the city’s drinking water. KGS Group helped stabilize the riverbank while keeping the aqueduct in service throughout construction, protecting a critical supply and reducing risk to the community.

Our team applied an extensive design evaluation process, a full-scale field-testing program, a ground-breaking instrumentation monitoring program and a highly prescriptive construction methodology to manage risk at each stage of construction.

This approach required more intensive engineering but reduced the construction timeline by one full year and resulted in significant project cost savings. After the stabilization work was completed, a complete revegetation project ensued, ensuring the area was ready for community use for years to come.

Expertise

Infrastructure and Water Management

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Project Highlights

  • Planning, design, geotechnical evaluation, construction oversight, monitoring and stakeholder coordination
  • Advanced instrumentation program and prescriptive construction sequencing
  • Project timeline was completed one year ahead of schedule, leading to significant cost savings
  • The site was restored and revegetated, improving the public realm and long‑term resilience

Crossing Enhancements on Beaver Creek at Historic Fort Ellice

The Crossing Enhancements on the Beaver Creek project aimed to reconcile human infrastructure with the natural environment at the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Fort Ellice property. The project focused on modifying a concrete ford crossing that impeded fish migration on Beaver Creek, to enhance bi-directional fish passage, maintain structural integrity and minimize ecological disruption.

Collaborative efforts led to the development of a rock ramp, that balanced technical feasibility, ecological sensitivity and regulatory compliance. The rock ramp now serves as a success story for future leaders and caretakers of the land and exemplifies sustainable conservation that combines sound engineering with environmental stewardship.

Expertise

Earth and Environment

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Project Highlights

  • Modified the existing concrete ford crossing to reduce hydraulic barriers to fish movement
  • Constructed a naturalized rock ramp to enable bi‑directional fish passage
  • Configured ramp geometry and rock gradation to maintain crossing stability while minimizing habitat disruption

University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus Riverbank Management Study

With nearly 4 km of shoreline, the University of Manitoba (UM) Fort Garry Campus is inherently linked to the Red River. The UM has adopted policies to become a leader in ecological, social and economic sustainability to promote a healthier, more active campus while reducing environmental impact.

Aligning with the UM’s sustainability principles, KGS Group provided the university with a 15-year, phased riverbank management strategy that favours restoration of the riparian corridor with naturalized solutions. Integrating geotechnical and ecological concepts, the riverbank management plan is a comprehensive tool to help the university manage risk, promote riverbank health and preserve critical infrastructure. The plan mirrors the dynamic nature of the river, allowing for updates over time to reflect changes to the riverbank and the campus itself.

Expertise

Earth and Environment

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Project Highlights

  • Mapped and segmented 4 km of shoreline to create reach‑based inventories and prioritize restoration actions
  • Completed integrated assessments of bank stability, erosion risk, riparian condition and habitat value
  • Defined naturalized restoration treatments (e.g., riparian revegetation, bioengineering/soft stabilization, setback planting)

Advanced Satellite Integration Facility

Magellan Aerospace was awarded a contract to manufacture three, low earth orbit satellite buses for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, one of the largest space projects ever undertaken by Canada. Design and construction of an advance satellite integration facility (or clean room) where these and future satellites would be constructed required an intense multi-disciplined engineering effort between KGS and Magellan.

The new facility needed to be designed and constructed to stringent standards to meet unique spacecraft manufacturing requirements. Working closely with Magellan Aerospace, KGS Group provided structural, mechanical, electrical and construction supervision services for the design, construction and commissioning of the 5,800 sq. ft. building.

The completed facility went into operation in the spring of 2015, meeting tight budget and scheduling constraints.

Expertise

Buildings and Spaces

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Project Highlights

  • We provided structural, mechanical, electrical and construction supervision services for the design, construction and commissioning of the 5,800 sq. ft. building.
  • Met tight budget and scheduling constraints
  • Intense collaborative multi-disciplined engineering effort between KGS and Magellan

Brandon Third Street Dam Replacement

For more than 70 years, the Third Street Dam on the Assiniboine River supported the City of Brandon’s drinking water supply and provided social, environmental and commercial benefits. When the dam was irreparably damaged, KGS Group moved quickly to design temporary emergency measures that limited further habitat impacts and preserved Brandon’s water supply.

We then developed a functional, cost-effective, permanent solution that also removes a 70-year-old barrier to fish passage. The new overflow rockfill weir, with a low flow rock ramp fishway, preserves Brandon’s water supply, restores fish passage, adds spawning habitat, and improves the safety and aesthetics of the river adjacent to Dinsdale Park.

Working with the City of Brandon and regulators, the team demonstrated how preserving vital infrastructure can go hand‑in‑hand with prioritizing and enhancing the environment.

Expertise

Hydropower and Dams

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Project Highlights

  • Designed and implemented temporary emergency measures to stabilize the river and maintain municipal water supply during dam failure
  • Constructed an overflow rockfill weir to replace the damaged dam and secure long‑term water levels for intake reliability
  • Constructed a low‑flow rock ramp fishway to restore year‑round fish passage and remove a 70‑year barrier
  • Integrated spawning habitat through rock ramp geometry and material gradation, enhancing local fisheries