BC Hydro announces $500M for expansion projects on North Shore, Sea to Sky Corridor

BC Hydro says it plans to construct approximately $500 million worth of projects on the North Shore and in the Sea to Sky corridor over the next 10 years.

On Wednesday, the utility explained the upgrades will expand the electricity grid and provide clean power for homes and businesses in the area.

“In growing regions like the North Shore and the Sea to Sky corridor, where we are seeing substantial housing, building, transportation, and industrial growth, we are embarking on significant upgrades to our electricity system,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro.

“It includes investments in our transmission lines, substations, and distribution network, as well as investments to improve dam safety and replace aging or end-of-life equipment to ensure we can continue to provide reliable and clean electricity to our customers.”

The projects reportedly include:

• Completing the new Capilano substation upgrade, which provides capacity for an additional 10,000-17,500 homes;
• Adding capacity at Squamish substation;
• Replacing end-of-life equipment at Pemberton and Lynn Valley substations;
• Replacing transmission infrastructure between Walters substation and Deep Cove substation in North Vancouver;
• Upgrading the Cheakamus generating facility to address seismic vulnerabilities and reliability risks;
• And completing voltage-conversion projects at the Glenmore, Norgate, and Capilano substations, and adding capacity to serve the new and expanded Harry Jerome Recreation Centre in North Vancouver.

In January, Premier David Eby announced a 10-year, $36-billion expansion of B.C.’s electrical system by the Crown-owned BC Hydro.

“Thirty-six billion dollars of investment in our power system means a few things,” Eby said in an interview at the time. “It means opening up new economic opportunities for the province with our affordable, clean electricity. There are a lot of companies that want to locate here if they can access the kind of power that we can provide through this investment.”

BC Hydro explained electricity demand in the province is expected to increase by 15 per cent or more between now and 2030.

The North Shore and Sea to Sky projects follow the announcement of similar expansions in Surrey and Langley.