TC Energy picks Worley, EllisDon, and AECOM to advance Ontario Pumped Storage Project engineering phase

TC Energy has selected a Worley-led team—including EllisDon and AECOM—to advance front-end engineering and design work for the Ontario Pumped Storage Project. The contract covers cost estimating, execution planning, and project readiness activities as the initiative moves deeper into its development phase.

The project has the potential to become one of Ontario’s largest energy storage facilities.

TC Energy selects Worley-led consortium for Ontario storage project

TC Energy’s pick of Worley as lead contractor pulls together three organizations with serious Canadian infrastructure credentials. EllisDon brings construction management experience, AECOM adds engineering and project delivery muscle, and together they’re expected to handle the full scope of front-end engineering and design—FEED, in industry shorthand—plus cost estimating, execution planning, and project readiness work.

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm with significant Canadian operations, bringing engineering, environmental, and project management depth to the team.

Tim Burnham, SVP of Canada Operations at Worley, framed the selection around partnership. “With our partners, we are bringing together our collective engineering, procurement and construction expertise to deliver this very important project,” he said. “Our focus is on being a trusted partner, building strong relationships and leveraging the local supply chain network.”

For TC Energy, this marks a real milestone. Early design and cost decisions made during this planning phase tend to shape everything downstream, which means getting the groundwork right isn’t optional.

Why TC Energy is advancing the project now

Ontario’s electricity demand isn’t standing still. Population growth, industrial expansion, and the ongoing electrification of transportation and heating are all pushing the grid harder—putting a premium on reliable, large-scale storage. Pumped storage is one of the most proven technologies available for exactly that purpose.

Here’s how it works: water gets pumped uphill to a reservoir when electricity demand is low. When demand spikes, that water flows back down through turbines to generate power. A straightforward concept that delivers real grid-balancing capability at scale.

TC Energy’s timing also reflects the structure of its Hire and Buy Local Program—not just a policy statement, but a mechanism that actively shapes how the project gets built and staffed. Worley, EllisDon, and AECOM are expected to prioritize local workers, suppliers, and services as engineering work moves forward. That local-first approach signals something broader: TC Energy is positioning this as an economic development initiative for Ontario communities, not only an infrastructure project.

Potential impact on Ontario’s electricity grid and economy

If the Ontario Pumped Storage Project reaches full development, the grid impact could be significant. It’s been described as potentially one of the largest energy storage facilities in the province—and that’s not a trivial label given how much strain Ontario’s grid is already absorbing.

Grid reliability is the clearest near-term benefit. Pumped storage responds quickly to shifts in supply and demand, smoothing out the variability that comes with more wind and solar on the system. As Ontario adds renewable capacity, facilities like this become more valuable over time, not less.

The economic case is also worth noting. Projects at this scale generate employment across engineering, construction, materials supply, and logistics. TC Energy’s Hire and Buy Local Program is designed to direct as much of that activity as possible toward Ontario workers and businesses. Exact figures aren’t fully quantified in available materials, but a major capital project paired with an explicit local procurement mandate points toward meaningful community benefit—and that appears to be part of the design.

Background: Ontario Pumped Storage Project and the companies involved

TC Energy is one of North America’s largest energy infrastructure companies. Its portfolio spans natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, and power generation assets across Canada, the US, and Mexico. The Ontario Pumped Storage Project represents the company’s push into large-scale electricity storage—a sector gaining real strategic importance as grids evolve.

Worley is a global engineering and professional services firm with a strong Canadian presence, covering energy, chemicals, and resources. Leading a FEED phase like this sits squarely in its wheelhouse. EllisDon, meanwhile, is a Canadian construction and building services company with decades of experience on major infrastructure projects across the country.

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm with significant Canadian operations, bringing engineering, environmental, and project management depth to the team. All three have operational footprints across Ontario—which lines up directly with what TC Energy’s Hire and Buy Local Program requires.

Here’s where things stand: TC Energy has formally selected Worley, EllisDon, and AECOM to lead front-end engineering and design for the Ontario Pumped Storage Project. The work covers cost estimating, execution planning, and project readiness. Positioned as a potential anchor for Ontario’s grid reliability strategy, the project is structured to prioritize local employment and supply chain engagement. The FEED phase will shape what comes next—including the path to a final investment decision.

Kelly Lippke

Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.