Reinvesting in our legacy assets
With its ongoing Resource Smart initiatives, BC Hydro continues to make important investments to modernize, expand the capacity and extend the life of its hydro assets. By modifying, updating and retrofitting our existing generation facilities, such as adding a fifth unit to the Revelstoke generating station, BC Hydro is increasing efficiency and electricity production with little or no environmental impact. Extending the capacity of these facilities will add enough electricity to power some 130,000 homes each year.
For example, next year BC Hydro will complete the redevelopment of the Aberfeldie generating station near Cranbrook, resulting in a capacity increase from five megawatts to 24. That's enough to power 10,500 homes each year. At our Revelstoke station, BC Hydro is adding a fifth generating unit – which could be in service as early as October 2010 – that will add 500 megawatts of capacity or enough to power 40,000 homes. Major upgrades are also planned for the Mica, Peace Canyon and G.M. Shrum generating stations.
