Project Background
Big power producer is four decades old
BC Hydro is investing now in the projects that are needed to keep the lights on in our province for the next 50 years.
The renewal of GM Shrum Generating Station is critical to meeting the current and future electricity needs of B.C., whose energy needs are projected to rise by 20 to 40 per cent over the next two decades.
 | | |
Replacement of turbines the focus of major investmentTo increase the reliability and capacity of BC’s energy supply, BC Hydro is reinvesting in the Gordon M. Shrum (GMS) station. The biggest of BC Hydro's generating stations, GMS is one of the most important components of BC Hydro's electrical system. This station alone supplies more than 12 per cent of all of the electricity produced in B.C. each year. Now more than four decades old, the station requires significant investments to renew ageing equipment. The extensive work to upgrade the station involves eight different projects and eight of the ten generating units at GMS. The most substantial being the replacement of turbines in five units. The turbine replacement will take several years to complete with each unit taking seven months. Because of the province’s reliance on GMS, the turbines will be replaced in stages to ensure any units are not out-of-service during the peak load season – the winter – when demand in the province is the highest. See What's Being Done for details on each of the eight projects. |
Last Modified: Feb 2, 2012
