BC Hydro has just completed a $700 million, eight-year upgrade of the Mica Dam built north of Revelstoke.
It was built in 1977 with only four turbines, but with space for two more.
With the two new generating units now in service, the dam now has six units that Hydro says can produce power for more than 650,000 homes each year.
“It’s one of the important investments we’re making in the system to both supply growing load, as well as rejuvenate the existing asset base,” said Chris O’Riley, Hydro’s Deputy CEO.
The dam currently services a quarter of British Columbia’s power load.