BC Hydro to invest $1 billion in Surrey capital projects

In January, the Province announced BC Hydro's updated 10-year capital plan, which contains $36 billion in regional and community infrastructure investments throughout B.C.

BC Hydro says its plan reflects growing demand for electricity across sectors due to population growth and housing construction, and increased industrial development. Google Maps image.

SURREY – BC Hydro says it will construct approximately $1 billion in capital projects in Surrey over the next decade to upgrade and expand the electricity grid and provide clean power for homes, businesses and growing electrification and transportation needs.

“We must build out B.C.’s electrical system like never before to power our homes and businesses, to power a growing economy and to power our future,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “In Surrey, throughout the Lower Mainland and in communities across B.C., these construction projects will create thousands of good jobs over the next decade and ensure that people have access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity, when they need it and where they need it.”

In January, the Province announced BC Hydro’s updated 10-year capital plan, which contains $36 billion in regional and community infrastructure investments throughout B.C., for a 50 per cent increase in investments over its previous capital plan. These new construction projects are forecast to support 10,500 to 12,500 jobs on average annually, and will increase and maintain BC Hydro’s capital investments as major projects, such as the Site C hydroelectric dam, are completed.

The 10-year plan includes building a new substation in Surrey Centre. This will power 20,000 to 35,000 homes and be in service by the end of 2032.  As well, Campbell Heights will see a new substation built that will power 20,000 to 35,000 homes and be in service by 2032. the Scott Road substation will be redeveloped with upgrades to the transmission connection to power an additional 10,000 to 17,500 homes by 2032.  And the McLellan substation will be expanded in two phases that are expected to be in service in 2026 and 2028, and will power an additional 40,000 to 70,000 homes.

“As Surrey continues to grow at a rapid pace, it is essential that we have a reliable and clean energy supply to power our homes, businesses, and transportation needs,” said Surrey mayor Brenda Locke. She added “I am pleased to see BC Hydro investing $1 billion in capital projects in Surrey over the next decade, which will help meet our growing demand for electricity.”

The plan reflects growing demand for electricity across sectors due to population growth and housing construction, and increased industrial development, as well as people and businesses switching from fossil fuels to clean electricity, among other factors.

“In growing cities like Surrey, where we are seeing substantial housing, building, transportation and industrial growth, we are embarking on significant upgrades to our electricity system, including investments in our transmission lines, new and expanded substation projects as well as major distribution investments to support underground and overhead infrastructure extensions to ensure we can continue to provide reliable and clean electricity to our customers,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “We are also making important changes to our customer connections process to speed up timelines for newly constructed homes and buildings.”

In addition to these major projects, Surrey will also benefit from an additional $700-million investment to reinforce the transmission system, which will improve reliability and increase capacity across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Surrey is expected to become the biggest city in B.C. by 2029 and is seeing significant growth across residential, mixed-use and light-industrial sectors in City Centre and the Clayton and Campbell heights communities.

 

 

 

 

Facebook Comments

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*