The prominent infrastructure and engineering firm AECOM has recruited key expertise that will undoubtedly position the company to play a part in the massive nuclear power projects anticipated for Ontario over the next decade. Preparing for what is likely to be a significant new business focus for many in the energy sector, the company announced on June 14 that Pierre Tremblay, the former chief nuclear operating officer for Ontario Power Generation (OPG), will be taking on a role as strategic advisor at AECOM. Widely known in the nuclear power industry, Mr. Tremblay is likely to be something of a flag-bearer for AECOM and for the Canadian nuclear industry as a whole.
Since the Ontario government announced the refurbishment of nearly 10,000 MW at the Bruce and Darlington nuclear stations, and possible life extension work at the Pickering station, a wide range of companies have been gearing up to support the projects. The combined announcements, estimated to cost up to $25 billion, signaled the rehabilitation of 6,300 MW at the Bruce nuclear station, 3,500 MW at Darlington, and possible life extension work affecting 3,100 MW at Pickering. (See also the related story “Ontario’s nuclear plan gets specific” in IPPSO FACTO, February 2016.)
“This emerging demand requires experienced engineers and project managers to help our clients solve complex challenges, such as facilities security and public safety, and optimize project execution,” said Doug Allingham, Executive Vice President of AECOM in Canada, observing that Mr. Tremblay will focus on “driving performance and maintaining our excellent relationships with clients, and with community and regulatory authorities, while diversifying our project portfolio.” The company notes that “AECOM is in the process of leveraging its strong global nuclear EPC, waste management, decommissioning, operations, and engineering design capability to enhance its nuclear service delivery in Canada.”
AECOM is one of the largest and most influential infrastructure companies in the world. In fact, it is a bit of a phenomenon: worldwide, it reached US$18 billion (approximately C$23.4 billion) in annual revenue in 2015. It has 92,000 employees operating in more than 150 countries. It has been consistently ranked among the top engineering design firms in the world by Engineering News Record. Fortune classes AECOM amongst the “World’s Most Admired Companies,” Diversity/Careers magazine ranks it as the “Best Diversity Company,” and the Financial Times rates it amongst the “Best Workplaces.”
In Canada, AECOM employs more than 5,400 professionals across various disciplines, capabilities and markets. Its scope includes planning, design and implementation of projects across a wide range of sizes and complexities. Although engineering and design are central to its services, it is an integrated company active in the fields of transportation, energy, buildings, economics, environment, social acceptability, architecture, design-build-finance-operate, management and construction services, and more. It highlights what it calls “common goals and values — delivering unrivaled expertise, protecting people and the environment, and making the world a better place,” with many projects outlined on its global website. AECOM’s Canadian operations report revenue of C$1.7 billion, approximately 7.2% of AECOM’s total revenue.
Clearly, the company is positioned to play an active role in a burgeoning part of Canada’s energy sector. There’s little doubt that the energy sector will see and hear more from AECOM in the years ahead.