NANAIMO – BC Hydro has completed construction of two new substations on Vancouver Island. These infrastructure investments will provide reliable power to help meet the electricity needs of the growing population and economy.
The new $28.5 million South Wellington substation will serve the Nanaimo and Ladysmith areas and the new $32 million Buckley Bay substation will serve the growing needs of the Comox Valley. Both projects were competed on budget and created economic opportunities for local businesses and jobs for Island workers.
“BC Hydro is investing about $2 billion a year in B.C.’s electricity system to ensure reliable power is there when we need it for our homes and businesses,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Electricity is the backbone of our economy and BC Hydro needs to ensure safe, reliable power is there when businesses and industry need it. At the same time, we’re find new ways to use power in our homes. All of these electronics need power.”
Over the next 10 years, BC Hydro capital projects on Vancouver Island are expected to generate a total combined GDP of $930 million. These capital projects will create 9,300 person-years of employment.
Vancouver Island contractors were involved in the construction of both of the new substations. There are about 400 Vancouver Island companies currently helping BC Hydro with capital project work across the province.
“BC Hydro’s focus of assuring a safe and reliable power system on Vancouver Island during this decade has provided benefits to the Island beyond that important objective,” said Greg Baynton, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA). “The construction of the main elements of these two substations were completed by VICA member contractors and that provided additional benefits to the local construction industry and the communities they live and work in.”
Construction of both substations began in 2012. Local contractors involved in the projects included Nanaimo-based F&M installations, Lafarge Courtenay and Victoria’s Tower Fence Products.
Some examples of other capital projects on Vancouver Island currently underway or nearing completion include:
- John Hart generating station replacement project in Campbell River (about $1 billion);
- Upgrade of the Horsey substation in Victoria ($48 million);
- Upgrade of the George Tripp substation in Saanich ($47 million); and
- Construction of the new Campbell River substation ($29.8 million).
Substations are an important part of the electrical system. BC Hydro owns and operates more than 300 substations in B.C. Substations receive high voltage power from transmission lines and transform that power to a lower voltage so it can be distributed to homes and businesses.