Yet another BC Hydro project will put a charge into the Campbell River economy.
The utility is expected to begin construction later this month on the Campbell River substation, at the end of 7th Avenue, that will increase its ability to supply electricity to its customers.
The $29.8 million project will increase the electricity capacity for future growth in the area.
Stephen Watson, spokesperson for BC Hydro, said the city is growing and the Hydro distribution grid that serves the area needs some work in order to keep up.
“The existing distribution system is having constraints because of development and growth that has already taken place in Campbell River, particularly in the south,” Watson said.
“In the past five years the general area that these substations serve has grown, and more development is planned. It means some significant investment is needed to keep up with the continued growth.”
Hydro investigated several options to increase the distribution system capacity and settled on adding a third transformer to the two that already exist at the 7th Avenue substation. From that new transformer, up to four new feeders or circuits will be added to the Campbell River grid system.
The Campbell River area is also served by a second substation in Oyster River. Circuits feed out of the substations and along roadways to supply electricity up to Sayward, over to Quadra Island, and down to the Black Creek area. Watson said Hydro expects to begin work on the substation later in March, with work expected to be complete in the fall of 2017.
“The increased capacity provided by these two new circuits – and eventually the other two circuits from the new transformer – will nicely serve the wider Campbell River area by off-loading some of the existing circuits that are near capacity and free things up for future community growth in residential and commercial development,” Watson said, adding that Hydro has been working closely with the City of Campbell River on the project, and has reached out to people living near the substation as well as nearby École des Deux Mondes Elementary.
The Campbell River Substation project is just one of several BC Hydro is undertaking in the area. Hydro is currently in the middle of relocating the John Hart Generating Station underground and is expecting to undertake seismic upgrades to both the John Hart and Strathcona dams starting in 2018.
Mayor Andy Adams said the city is grateful to be the beneficiary of several millions of dollars of investment.
“With all these important capital projects in our area that BC Hydro is undertaking to keep their hydroelectric facilities and power grid system safe and reliable, I think we’ve become the provincial poster child of BC Hydro’s comprehensive capital projects program,” Adams said.
Colleen Evans, CAO of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce, said it paints the city in a good light.
“This project and commitment by BC Hydro sends an important message to business, job seekers and investors alike and that is that we’re actively engaged for strong business development for years to come.”