Interior to Lower Mainland (ILM)
Transmission Project

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Project status and updates

British Columbia is growing and so is our need for electricity. Over the next 20 years, the population of the Lower Mainland is expected to grow from 2.5 million to about 3.4 million. Over that same time, the demand for electricity in B.C. is expected to grow by as much as 50 per cent – the majority of it in the Lower Mainland.

Increasing demand, changing patterns of use and aging equipment have put the transmission grid under pressure. While the system continues to operate reliably today, it is reaching capacity in some areas and needs to be expanded. The ILM Project will help ensure that homes and businesses in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island continue to receive clean and reliable energy.

WHAT'S NEW

• Transmission line right-of-way preparation to start in mid-February 2012.
• For latest update of the project, visit ILM Project Update – Winter 2012 [PDF, 850 KB].

Project background The ILM Project will retain enough energy to supply about 80,000 homes per year.		What's being done The ILM Project is a new 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line mostly along an existing right-of-way between Merritt and Coquitlam.

Construction schedule The planned in-service date for the ILM Project is January 2015.		Public consultation Public consultation began in 2007 and information has been sent to more than 10,000 residences and businesses.

Environmental Assessment In Summer 2009, the ILM Project received an Environmental Assessment Certificate under the BC Environmental Assessment Act.		Regulatory approvals In Summer 2008, the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the ILM Project.

Contractor information Flatiron-Graham, a Joint Venture, will be responsible for the detailed design, materials procurement and overall construction of the ILM transmission line.		Information Centre Project updates, fact sheets, news releases, images, maps and videos.