Mainwaring Substation upgrade
We're upgrading the Mainwaring Substation to continue providing reliable electricity for the 60,000 homes and businesses it serves over the next 30 years.
What's new
In January 2026, we started construction of an underground duct bank, which will house the cables carrying electricity from the substation to where it’s needed.
We've replaced two transformers and completed the new gas-insulated switchgear building. Work to install the new equipment continues inside the building.
Underground duct bank
We're installing underground infrastructure on City property. This work affects:
- Both sides of Inverness Street (5900-6400 Block)
From 30 meters north of East 45 Avenue to the lane north of East 49 Avenue. - Both sides of the lane north of East 49 Avenue (1300 Block)
Between Inverness Street and the lane east of Inverness Street. - Both sides of East 47 Avenue (1300 Block)
Between Inverness Street and the lane east of Inverness Street.
To install the duct bank, we'll dig up the street using hydro excavation (hydrovac) equipment. This method uses a combination of high-pressure water and a powerful vacuum to excavate and remove excavated materials.
We use hydrovac as it's safer for workers, more precise, and reduces the likelihood that we'll damage existing infrastructure. This method is much better than traditional methods, but it's noisier.
Generally, we’ll work weekdays between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
You'll see temporary parking and pedestrian restrictions during this work. Please respect posted signs and restrictions, these help us complete our work safely and efficiently.
Transformers
The two new transformers are operating and have resulted in reduced noise levels in the area.
Gas insulated switchgear building
We’ve completed construction of the new gas-insulated switchgear building. Work to install the new equipment inside the building is ongoing.
Mainwaring Substation supplies reliable electricity to over 60,000 homes and businesses in East Vancouver. This important piece of our infrastructure needs upgrades to replace aging equipment.
Upgrades include replacing two transformers in their existing location, constructing a new two-story building to house equipment that is currently outdoors, installing new underground duct banks to help move electricity to where it’s needed, and removing existing outdoor equipment.
After the project is complete, we’ll landscape the site where required.
Site preparation started in late 2022 and the main construction work started in early 2023. The expected in-service date is December 2026.
Mainwaring Substation, located at the intersection of Inverness Street and 47th Avenue, is a distribution substation built in the 1950s. The substation takes electricity from transmission lines at a higher voltage and converts it to the voltage required to supply power to the 60,000 homes and businesses it serves.
The upgrade is important to ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of the substation's service area which is west to Cambie Street, east to Boundary Road, and north to 12th Avenue.
This upgrade will help meet the increased electricity demand due to load growth and electrification and provide increased reliability to the electrical system by replacing aging equipment that's nearing end-of-life. This upgrade will also prepare for future growth in the area by modifying the substation layout to better prepare for future upgrades.
Get in touch
If you have questions about the project or feedback you'd like to share, please contact us at:
Email: projects@bchydro.com
Phone: 604 623 4472
Toll free: 1 866 647 3334