Energy Tops Top 100 as Mega-Project Spending Soars

Canadian mega-project spending is on the rise. The value of the country’s 100 biggest public infrastructure projects has grown to $157.9 billion, a 12-per-cent increase over 2014’s $140.5 billion, according to ReNew Canada, which today released its ninth annual Top 100 Projects report.

Energy Tops Top 100 as Mega-Project Spending Soars

View the complete report breakdown at http://top100projects.ca/2015filters/.

The list is dominated by $62.3 billion in energy projects, with hydroelectric generation—including the controversial and costly Site C dam—claiming the first four of the top 10 spots:

1. Site C Clean Energy Project (British Columbia); $8.775 billion
2. Muskrat Falls Project (Newfoundland and Labrador); $6.99 billion
3. Romaine Complex (Quebec); $6.5 billion
4. Keeyask Hydroelectric Project (Manitoba); $6.5 billion
5. Eglinton Crosstown LRT (Toronto, Ontario); $5.3 billion
6. New Bridge for the St. Lawrence Corridor (Quebec); $5 billion
7. Southwest Calgary Ring Road (Alberta); $5 billion
8. Bipole III Transmission Line (Winnipeg, Manitoba); $4.6 billion
9. Turcot Interchange (Montreal, Quebec); $3.7 billion
10.  Port Mann Bridge/Highway 1 (Vancouver-Langley, British Columbia); $3.3 billion

Beyond energy, the report includes 21 transportation projects, 17 transit, 21 buildings, five water/wastewater, two each of carbon capture and remediation, and one waste management.

“There are 25 newcomers in 2015, representing $33.1 billion in new mega-project investment, which is positive sign,” said André Voshart, Executive Editor, ReNew Canada. “Infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth. Research shows that every dollar invested in infrastructure increases GDP by $1.60, outperforming other forms of stimulus.”

The report ranks public projects by cost, including descriptions, funding sources, and key players. The list excludes privately held oil and gas developments.

In energy, 2015’s Top 100 represents:

• 14 hydroelectric projects, nine transmission, three natural gas, three wind, one nuclear, and one coal;
• more than 5,800 kilometres of new transmission line, including sub-sea lines; and
• 18,208 megawatts in new/refurbished generation potential.

To celebrate, ReNew Canada with ACS Infrastructure Canada/Dragados Canada is hosting an executive-level Top 100 Key Players & Owners Dinner in downtown Toronto on February 5, 2015.

First published in 2005, ReNew Canada is a business magazine profiling the financing, design, construction, and engineering of Canada’s public infrastructure. Learn more at http://renewcanada.net.

For more information and the full report, contact André Voshart at andre@actualmedia.ca or 416-444-5842 x118.

Source: ReNew Canada