BC Hydro’s Transmission Line Project is a 344-kilometre, 287 kilovolt transmission line between the Skeena Substation near Terrace and a new substation to be built near Bob Quinn Lake.
It is one of BC Hydro’s largest capital projects in the last 20 years.
Our reporter Jas Johal travelled to the region where the line will be built and looked at how this project will change the lives of residents and those around the province. The three-part series starts Monday.
The line is being built to provide a reliable supply of clean power to potential industrial developments, among other reasons. One goal is to also provide power to the community of Iskut so that they no longer have to rely on diesel generation.
The first story will focus on the construction of the line and its budget.
Video: Part one of Jas Johal’s report on BC Hydro’s Transmission Line Project:
The second story looks at the area where the new substation will be built, near Bob Quinn Lake. It is set to open in the spring of 2014. Nearby, construction continues at the Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric project. Crews have been working at the privately-financed site since 2011. It is a run of river project owned by AltaGas, and it will sell power to BC Hydro thanks to a 60 year deal it signed with public utility. Once finished enough power will be generated from these turbines to power 70,000 homes. But critics say private power producers like AltaGas aren’t needed. The NDP opposition says BC Hydro is forced to buy private power at inflated rates through contracts that run for decades.
Video: Part two of Jas Johal’s report on BC Hydro’s Transmission Line Project:
Story number three is about the Red Chris Mine, located north of Terrace and set to open next May. The Northwest Transmission Line will power the mine, which has enough copper and gold for a minimum projected life span of 29 years, and possibly as much as 100 years. Red Chris is the first and only mine to connect to the Northwest Line.
Video: Part three of Jas Johal’s report on BC Hydro’s Transmission Line Project:
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