B.C. gov’t announces $1B in funding for BC Hydro projects in the Fraser Valley

The provincial government says it’s funding nearly $1 billion worth of hydroelectric projects in the Fraser Valley.

Projects are expected to expand the electrical grid and provide clean energy over the next decade in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Hope, and Harrison Hot Springs.

The funding is part of the province’s 10-year capital plan for BC Hydro.

Speaking outside a BC Hydro power station in Chilliwack Wednesday, Premier David Eby said the projects are, in part, designed to address the growing population in the Fraser Valley.

“We need to make sure that we’re responding to population growth, increased demands for electrification, and the remarkable opportunity that our clean electricity offers for our economy as a whole, here in British Columbia,” said Eby, adding that the investment will also help meet the demands of new and existing industries in the region.

The nearly $1 billion in funding includes approximately $800 million to expand transmission capacity, within the systems serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Hope.

Approximately $75 million is to expand capacity of the following substations:

• Atchelitz substation in Chilliwack, powering up to 14,000 new homes by 2027;
• Clayburn substation in Abbotsford, powering up to 17,500 additional homes by 2028;
• Mount Lehman substation in Abbotsford, powering up to 35,000 more homes by 2029.

Another approximately $80 million will be invested in dam safety improvements and equipment upgrades at Wahleach, Stave Falls, and Ruskin generating stations, and $25 million will be set aside for extending underground infrastructure in Mission, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack.

The announcement follows that of similar projects in the North Shore and Sea to Sky regions, as well as in Surrey and Langley.

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