Behind Aecon's AI Power Project in Alberta, Canada

In Alberta, one of the region's largest anticipated power generation projects is moving ahead.

TRA, a consortium with Técnicas Reunidas Alberta, Inc. in which Aecon holds a majority share, has secured a multibillion-dollar contract from Greenlight Electricity Centre Limited Partnership.

The aim is to deliver the Greenlight Electricity Centre (GLEC), a natural gas-fired generating station that will power a co-located data centre.

Aecon's share of the contract is valued at CA$1.7bn (US$1.19bn) and will be added to the company's construction backlog in the third quarter of 2026.

The award follows earlier engineering and development work completed by the consortium and strengthens Aecon's long-term pipeline of power infrastructure projects.

Powering a new generation of data centres

Located in Sturgeon County, Alberta, the Greenlight Electricity Centre will have an initial generation capacity of 932MW, with planning permission allowing future expansion to 1,864MW.

The natural gas combined cycle facility is expected to become one of Alberta's largest new sources of dispatchable electricity, supplying power directly to a neighbouring data centre development.

The project is owned by Greenlight Electricity Centre Limited Partnership, a consortium comprising Pembina Pipeline Corporation, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and Kineticor Asset Management.

Jean-Louis Servranckx, President and CEO at Aecon Group Inc., says: "The rapid advancement of AI infrastructure, data centres, digital transformation and economic growth are driving one of the most significant power infrastructure investment cycles, and unprecedented demand for power generation in North America.

"This contract award reflects Aecon's multidisciplinary capabilities – supporting digital sovereignty and safely delivering large-scale, mission-critical infrastructure in sectors benefiting from long-term demand for power generation and grid expansion."

Building the supporting infrastructure

TRA, the consortium between Aecon and Técnicas Reunidas Alberta, will deliver engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning for the facility

Construction is scheduled to begin during the third quarter of 2026, with completion expected in 2030.

The scope extends well beyond the generating plant itself, covering civil works for current and future power islands alongside piping, mechanical, structural, electrical and instrumentation systems.

The consortium will also deliver the gas metering station, switchyard and substation needed to connect the facility.

Thomas Clochard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Aecon Group Inc., says: "Executing a project of this scale requires world-class expertise.

"Working with our partner and client, Aecon's execution discipline and experience building complex industrial and power infrastructure projects will be critical to safety, quality, schedule and cost performance.

"Aecon is purpose-built to bring its diverse expertise to harness significant opportunities across the power generation, transmission and distribution, communications and digital infrastructure value chain."

The Alberta development builds on Aecon's existing portfolio of power generation projects across Canada and the US, including gas-fired generation facilities in Ontario and Saskatchewan as well as conventional and nuclear infrastructure through United Engineers and Constructors.

The Greenlight Electricity Centre has been designed around the needs of a major data centre development, showing that AI-driven digital infrastructure is shaping investment decisions across the energy sector.