Upgrading electrical infrastructure across the Fraser Valley over the next 10 years will see an investment of $1 billion in capital funding announced in Chilliwack Wednesday (Aug. 28) by B.C. government and BC Hydro officials.
Capital projects will roll out in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Hope and Harrison Hot Springs as a way to meet the growing demand for more electrical power.
鈥淓xpanding electricity capacity in the Fraser Valley will help people and businesses get the clean and affordable power that they need to run their homes and keep the economy growing,鈥� said Premier David Eby at the Atchelitz Substation facility on Lickman Road in Chilliwack.
Expanded transmission capacity will cost about $800 million, for systems serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Hope.
Of the total approximately $75 million will go to expanding capacity at the following substations:
鈥� Atchelitz substation in Chilliwack, powering up to 14,000 new homes by 2027;
鈥� Clayburn substation in Abbotsford, powering up to 17,500 additional homes by 2028; and
鈥� Mount Lehman substation in Abbotsford, powering up to 35,000 more homes by 2029.
"This is a huge acknowledgement of the importance of Chilliwack,鈥� said Kelli Paddon, local MLA for Chilliwack-Kent.
Another $80 million will be allocated for dam safety improvements and equipment upgrades at Wahleach, Stave Falls and Ruskin generating stations, and $24 million will be set aside for extending underground infrastructure and expanding distribution capacity in Mission, Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
鈥淭hese new projects will make sure B.C. continues to be a leader helping people switch from fossil fuels to clean energy while creating thousands of good-paying jobs," Eby said.
The funding falls under BC Hydro鈥檚 10-year capital plan of $36 billion unveiled in January 2024. It plans for significant infrastructure upgrades in communities across B.C. from substations, to transmission lines and distribution network. The multi-year capital plan is a key part of 'Powering our Future: B.C.'s Clean Energy Strategy' with a vision of an economy powered by clean energy, job creation and keeping electricity affordable.
The Fraser Valley is recognized as one of the fastest growing regions in the province, substantiating the need for system-wide improvements.
鈥淚n growing regions like the Fraser Valley where we are seeing substantial population growth, and residential, commercial and industrial electrification, we are embarking on significant upgrades to our electricity system, including investments in our substations, transmission lines and distribution network to ensure we can continue to provide reliable and clean electricity to our customers,鈥� said Chris O鈥橰iley, president and CEO of BC Hydro.
鈥淲e are also investing millions on dam safety improvements at generating stations in the area and making important changes to our customer connections process to speed up timelines for newly constructed homes and buildings.鈥�
The plan reflects growing demand for electricity across the region due to population growth and housing construction, increased industrial development, and people and businesses switching from fossil fuels to clean electricity, among other factors.
It will upgrade and expand the electricity grid and provide clean power for homes, businesses, and growing electrification and transportation needs.
