What is Site C?

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Conceptual design of the potential Site C dam on the Peace River

Site C is one of several options being considered to help meet B.C.'s future electricity needs. The potential Site C dam would be located about seven kilometres southwest of Fort St. John on the Peace River, downstream of where the Moberly River enters the Peace River. It would provide about 900 megawatts of capacity, and produce approximately 4,600 gigawatt hours of electricity each year – enough to power about 460,000 homes. The reservoir would be 83 kilometres long, on average two to three times the width of the current river, and would flood approximately 5,340 hectares.

With respect to large hydro, the BC Energy Plan calls for BC Hydro and the provincial government to "enter into initial discussions with First Nations, the Province of Alberta and communities to discuss Site C to ensure that communications regarding the potential project and the processes being followed are well known." BC Hydro has developed a multi-stage process for evaluating Site C.

As the third dam and generating station on the Peace River, Site C would gain significant efficiencies by taking advantage of water already stored in the Williston Reservoir and used to generate electricity upstream at the existing W.A.C. Bennett and Peace Canyon dams. In fact, it would produce about 30% of the electricity at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, with 5% of the reservoir area.

As currently designed, the earthfill Site C dam would be 1,100 metres long, with 300 metres of concrete structures located on the right bank for the spillway and power intakes. If built, Site C would be a mid-size facility with a significant upfront capital cost, a long operating life and low operating costs.

Site C would be publicly owned. Early interim project estimates indicate that Site C could cost between $5 billion and $6.6 billion. As a decision to build is still years away, any project estimates at this stage are only interim. Cost estimates will be updated at the end of each stage of project review.

Impacts and benefits

Potential Site C impacts

Should the provincial government decide to continue pursuing Site C, the project would be subject to provincial and federal regulatory review including comprehensive environmental assessment and permitting processes.

During Project Definition consultation, BC Hydro is looking at ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate against these and other project impacts.

• Environment. Effects on the environment include flooding and water flow impacts on fish, wildlife and agricultural land, local air quality impacts and construction impacts.
• First Nations. Site C would impact traditional lands of First Nations, including cultural, heritage and land use.
• Social. Site C would require the relocation of some sections of Highway 29, and some buildings would need to be moved above the reservoir safeline. It would also require relocation of some families.
• Construction. Construction of Site C would require a large number of workers for the construction phase, resulting in demand for housing and services. It would also result in noise, traffic, temporary construction facilities, and access roads.
• Land. Development of Site C would create a reservoir, flooding portions of the Peace River valley between the Peace Canyon Dam and the confluence of the Peace and Moberly rivers, as well as in the lower reaches of the Moberly and Halfway rivers.
  
  

Potential Site C benefits

• Dependable energy and capacity. Site C would be able to provide electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, complementing intermittent energy sources such as wind and small hydro.
• Clean and renewable energy. Site C would have minimal greenhouse gas emissions once operational. There would be an initial impact from the construction of the dam and filling of the reservoir.
• Local benefits/opportunities. Site C is an opportunity to provide a legacy of benefits for the communities that are directly affected by such large projects. BC Hydro will be seeking feedback to identify opportunities to benefit First Nations, residents and communities directly affected by the Site C Project.
• Long operating life. Site C would have a long operating life of more than 100 years and low operating costs if built.
• Optimizing existing power generation. As the third dam on one river system, Site C would take advantage of water stored upstream in the Williston Reservoir and used to generate electricity at the W.A.C. Bennett and Peace Canyon dams.