Prince George to Terrace Capacitors Project
What's new
The Government of Canada is investing $96.95 million in the Prince George to Terrace Capacitors Project as part of a larger federal investment of nearly $157 million for eight BC Hydro projects. This funding is being provided through the Green Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the expansion of clean energy.
We're working to increase the transfer capacity of the existing 450 km, 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines from Prince George to Terrace by constructing three new capacitor stations through the Prince George to Terrace Capacitors project:
- Saranovich Capacitor Station near Vanderhoof
- Palling Capacitor Station near Burns Lake
- Walcott Capacitor Station near Telkwa
Select the map [PDF, 1.8 MB] to view it at a larger size.
We're also adding a transformer to Skeena Substation near Terrace to decrease the 500 kV electricity to voltages suitable for our customers. The work is entirely within the substation fence and expansion is not required.
A number of industries in the North Coast such as mining and liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments have requested power from us. We need to increase capacity along the existing 500 kV transmission line between Prince George and Terrace to meet the customers' needs.
A capacitor station contains equipment to boost the amount of electricity that a transmission line can carry. These stations are fenced, outdoor facilities that must be constructed on flat land, adjacent to or near the existing transmission line. Capacitor stations can significantly increase the capacity of the existing transmission line in a cost-effective, safe, and reliable way.
All three sites have been prepared for station construction. Concrete foundation installation for equipment and buildings is underway at all three sites. Additional detail on work completed to date and upcoming work is provided for each station below.
The expected project in-service date is 2028.
Saranovich Capacitor Station
Work completed:
- 2022 – Tree clearing
- 2023 – Access road construction
- 2023 – Installation of new 500 kV transmission tower
- 2024 – Site levelled
Upcoming work:
- 2025 – Start construction of civil foundations
- 2026 – Complete full station build and commissioning
Palling Capacitor Station
Work completed:
- 2022 – Tree clearing
- 2023 – Access road construction
- 2023 – Installation of new 500 kV transmission tower
- 2024 – Site levelled
Upcoming work:
- 2025 – Start construction of civil foundations
- 2026 – Complete full station build and commissioning
Walcott Capacitor Station
Work completed:
- 2024 – Tree clearing
- 2024 –Access road construction
- 2024 – Installation of new 500 kV transmission tower
- 2024 – Site levelled
- 2024 – 138 kV line relocation
Upcoming work:
- 2025 – Start construction of civil foundations
- 2027 – Complete full station build and commissioning
Skeena Substation
Work completed:
- 2024 – Started construction of civil foundations
Upcoming work:
- 2025 – Continue civil foundations and start electrical work
- 2026 – Complete installation and commissioning of transformer and associated equipment
Contact us
If you'd like to learn more about the project, please contact us at:
Email: projects@bchydro.com
Phone: 604 623 4472
Toll free: 1 866 647 3334