Ontario's Pumped-Storage Project Moves Into Engineering Development

Ontario's Pumped-Storage Project Moves Into Engineering Development

October 7, 2026

2 Min Read

A major energy-storage project in Ontario is advancing with AECOM selected to support the next phase of the proposed Ontario Pumped Storage Project.

AECOM will work with Worley on front-end engineering and design, cost estimating, execution planning and project-readiness activities for the proposed long-duration energy-storage facility in Meaford, Ontario.

Storing Energy Like a Reservoir

Pumped-storage hydropower works by moving water between reservoirs at different elevations.

When electricity demand is low, electricity can be used to pump water uphill. When demand rises, the stored water can flow back down through turbines to generate electricity.

Unlike conventional batteries, pumped storage can provide long-duration energy storage at a large infrastructure scale.

Why AEC Is Paying Attention

As electricity systems incorporate more renewable generation, storing energy becomes increasingly important.

Projects such as this combine civil engineering, hydropower, tunnelling, electrical systems, environmental planning and large-scale infrastructure design.

That makes energy storage another growing area for the AEC sector.

Why It Matters

The construction industry is increasingly involved in infrastructure that supports the transition to new energy systems.

Pumped storage is one example where traditional civil engineering is being used to address a very modern problem: how to store large amounts of electricity for when it is needed.

BIM Cafe Insight: The energy transition isn't only creating new power sources. It's creating an entirely new demand for infrastructure that can store and manage that power.

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