METSCO

Acquisition Date 05/2023

In May 2023, BBA acquired METSCO, a well-established Canadian engineering and consulting firm with deep expertise in the power sector. With a team of 60+ professionals and a proven track record in asset management, field testing, advanced engineering, and strategic advisory services, METSCO reinforces BBA’s integrated service offering across Canada and internationally.

To learn more, refer to the press release.

What METSCO brings to BBA

Since 2006, METSCO has helped power utilities unlock greater value from their assets and operations. Known for their rigorous analytics, regulatory insight and commitment to long-term sustainability, METSCO shares BBA’s commitment to delivering impactful, data-driven solutions.

Their integration into BBA enhances our ability to deliver end-to-end services — from high-voltage testing to investment planning — while expanding our reach and strengthening client outcomes.
Explore METSCO’s core expertise:
- METSCO delivers custom asset health indexing, lifecycle risk modeling and failure forecasting to support capital planning and regulatory filings. Their data-driven approach supports smarter maintenance strategies and performance optimization.
  
  Learn more about our asset management service
- From business case development to ESG and regulatory risk assessments, METSCO helps clients quantify uncertainty, prioritize investment and enhance resilience in the face of evolving market and policy pressures.
  
  Learn more about our risk advisory service
- METSCO supports investment approvals through robust distribution plans, business cases, regulatory filings and testimony. Their work has contributed to securing over $100M in approved utility investments.
- Their multidisciplinary teams provide in-depth technical services, including asset condition assessments, on-site engineering support, project management, and detailed documentation to help utilities operate efficiently and safely.
- Their in-house lab delivers forensic, qualification and acceptance testing in accordance with IEEE, IEC, CSA, UL and other global standards — offering fast turnaround and deep technical analysis.
  
  Learn more about our HV Testing Laboratory

Meet the Experts
Alex Ferguson, P.Eng.

Director, Asset Infrastructure and Advisory Services

Alex Ferguson, P.Eng.

Director, Asset Infrastructure and Advisory Services

Alex Ferguson leverages 15+ years of international experience in asset management, regulatory strategy and grid modernization to help clients optimize investments and enhance infrastructure performance.

Key expertise

Asset management, business planning and investment optimization
Grid modernization and technology integration
Regulatory strategies, compliance and cost-benefit analysis
Member of IChemE

Major achievements: Led 40+ projects in asset management, regulatory plans and grid modernization across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., and developed 15+ roadmaps supporting the energy transition.

Approach and added value: With a strategic and integrated regulatory vision, Alex transforms complex challenges into actionable, sustainable plans focused on client value.

Robert Otal, P.Eng., CAMA

Senior Advisor, Asset management

Robert Otal, P.Eng., CAMA

Senior Advisor, Asset management

Robert Otal is a Professional Engineer with over 17 years of experience working in the areas of asset management (AM), risk management, system operations, strategic long-term and short-term investment planning and information technology solutions. Mr. Otal specializes in the assessment and development of asset management systems (AMS) for organizations, which includes the development of business processes, data pipelines and analytical solutions that allow organizations to undertake the right actions to the right assets at the right time.

Mr. Otal has also led the development of long-term investment plans and short-term investment projects, risk and reliability-driven engineering decision-support systems, business case development, failure curve calibration and failure mode development, financial modelling, and process automation solutions for organizations across North America.

Most recently, Mr. Otal has been leading the development of METSCO’s asset management training and assessment programs to align organizations with best practices and industry standards (e.g., ISO 55000). Mr. Otal has successfully delivered AM training programs, including in-person workshops and webinar sessions across North America.

Mr. Otal is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Ontario, a Certified Asset Management Assessor (CAMA) with the World Partners in Asset Management (WPiAM), has a Diploma in Asset Management with Distinction from the Institute of Asset Management (IAM), and is currently pursuing the status of Endorsed Assessor (EA) and Endorsed Trainer with the IAM.

Jamali Babak, M.Sc. P.Eng.

Office Director

Jamali Babak, M.Sc. P.Eng.

Office Director

Babak Jamali holds 25 years of experience in power systems. He is a professional engineer and senior member of the IEEE organization. He is the BBA Concord Office Director and leads also an electrical technical team on various projects. Before joining BBA, Mr. Jamali was the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Project Manager at METSCO Energy Solutions Inc. He was responsible for directing, supervising, and training staff and managing power sector engineering projects. These include projects such as substation design, power system studies, commissioning tests (high voltage and grounding tests), and the development of electrical standards.

As part of his operational responsibilities, he establishes processes and procedures to review projects and staff performance, assists the executive team with revenue and sales forecast, and partakes in business development activities.

He specializes in system planning studies, power system modelling and analysis, substation design, and commissioning tests. Besides having intimate knowledge of substation equipment characteristics and specifications, he also has significant experience conducting power systems static and dynamic simulation studies with the power industry’s standard software tools. He has authored many technical papers presented at IEEE and CIGRE.

Clint Sims, P.Eng., PMP

Principal Advisor

Clint Sims, P.Eng., PMP

Principal Advisor

Clint Sims is a professional, solutions-focused and results-driven leader with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master’s Certificate in Project Management and an Electrical Engineering Technologist’s diploma complemented by over 26 years of experience in the electric power industry. He is highly knowledgeable and experienced in utility transmission (OH and UG), substation, distribution, and network projects as well as light rail transit and power generation projects.

He is currently Manager of BBA’s Power Distribution Department in charge of a team of experienced and knowledgeable designers, engineers and drafters to provide engineering services to utilities, renewable developers and industrial clients.

What METSCO brings to BBA

Explore METSCO’s core expertise:

Alex Ferguson, P.Eng.

Robert Otal, P.Eng., CAMA

Jamali Babak, M.Sc. P.Eng.

Clint Sims, P.Eng., PMP