BC Hydro to invest more than $1.25 billion in Burnaby capital projects – Journal Of Commerce

BURNABY, B.C. – BC Hydro has announced it will build more than $1.25 billion in capital projects through Burnaby, B.C. over the next decade to expand and upgrade the electricity grid.

The Government of British Columbia previously announced BC Hydro’s updated 10-year capital plan in January which contains $36 billion in regional and community infrastructure investments throughout the province, a 50 per cent increase over its previous capital plan, a release said.

“In growing cities like Burnaby, where we are seeing significant housing, building, transportation and industrial growth, we are embarking on significant upgrades to our electricity system, including investments in new and expanded substation projects as well as voltage conversion projects to ensure we can continue to provide reliable and clean electricity to our customers,” BC Hydro president and CEO Chris O’Riley said in a statement.

“We are also making important changes to our customer connections process to speed up timelines for newly constructed homes and buildings.”

Projects in the 10-year capital plan include:

• Horne Payne substation expansion: Will power an additional 10,000 to 17,500 homes, expected completion in 2027.
• Newell substation expansion: Will power an additional 10,000 to 17,500 homes, expected completion in 2027.
• Lougheed substation expansion: Will power an additional 20,000 to 35,000 homes, expected completion in 2029.
• Barnard substation expansion: Will power an additional 18,000 to 30,000 homes, expected completion 2029.
• New substation to serve Metrotown area: Will power an additional 40,000 to 70,000 homes, expected completion 2033.
• Voltage conversion projects in Metrotown and Barnard.

Electricity demand in B.C. is expected to increase by 15 per cent or more between now and 2030, the release said.