BRITISH COLUMBIA – Enbridge Inc.’s $4 billion Sunrise Expansion Program natural gas expansion of its West Coast pipeline system in B.C. has been approved by the federal government.
Construction is scheduled to begin in July, with a targeted in-service date in late 2028. Sunrise Expansion is designed to add approximately 300 million cubic feet per day of natural gas transportation capacity to the southern portion of the Westcoast pipeline system.
Expected to contribute more than $3 billion to Canada’s economy, Sunrise will involve the hiring approximately 2,500 workers during construction. The Project will include the construction of new pipeline segments along the existing system, additional natural gas compression, and upgrades and modifications to existing facilities.
Once in service, the added natural gas transportation capacity is expected to strengthen energy security. Natural gas transported on the Westcoast system is used to heat homes, hospitals, businesses, and schools. It also supports electric power generation, industrial activity across B.C. and global LNG exports.
“The multi-billion dollar Sunrise Expansion Program is a shovel-ready, critical natural gas infrastructure project that supports the advancement of Canada’s energy superpower ambitions,” says Enbridge CEO and President Greg Ebel. “We are thankful for the support of the Canadian Government and other stakeholders who have helped to bring this project to fruition at this critical time for the country. We’re proud of our long history investing and building in Canada and British Columbia, and are excited about the role this project will play in increasing economic prosperity and energy security.”
Matthew Akman, Enbridge’s Executive Vice President and President, Gas Transmission, adds “Leading up to and throughout construction, Enbridge will continue to work with Indigenous groups, local communities, contractors and other stakeholders. As part of our commitment to supporting local businesses, Enbridge is procuring pipe for the Sunrise Expansion Program from InterPro Pipe + Steel, a Canadian steel mill and pipe provider, who will use Canadian workers and expertise to produce the pipe.”
Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas pipeline system is capable of transporting up to 3.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The Westcoast system stretches more than 2,900 kilometres from Fort Nelson in northeast B.C. and from Gordondale near the B.C.-Alberta border, south to the Canada-U.S. border at Huntingdon/Sumas. The existing Westcoast system is 12.5% owned by the Stonlasec8 Indigenous Alliance Limited Partnership, which represents 38 Indigenous groups in B.C.
“Saskatchewan welcomes the approval of Enbridge’s Sunrise Expansion Project,” states Saskatchewan Minister of Trade and Export Development Warren Kaeding. “We are pleased to see that this project will utilize Canadian steel from InterPro Pipe + Steel. By using Canadian steel and expertise, this project will strengthen Canadian supply chains while supporting local jobs here in Saskatchewan and across our country.”
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