Revelstoke Generating Station Unit 6 Project

We're proposing to add the sixth and final generating unit into an empty bay at Revelstoke Generating Station. Originally designed to house six generating units, only four were installed when the generating station was constructed and the fifth unit was added in 2010.

The project would also potentially construct a new capacitor station west of Summerland. Additional information on the capacitor station will be provided as planning advances and the need is confirmed.

Additional information on the project components is available in the B.C. Government's Certified Project Description [PDF, 1.1 MB].

We're working to advance the Revelstoke Generating Station Unit 6 Project to support electrification, the addition of renewable energy sources to our system, and to meet peak demand.

The Project received an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) from the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) in 2018 following extensive consultation with First Nations and stakeholders.

• The EAC includes a Certified Project Description as well as the conditions which must be met for the project to proceed.
• We received a five-year extension to the EAC in 2025 with the requirement that the project have substantially started construction by November 2028.
• We’re now working to implement the project conditions and advance the project.

We'll continue to work with First Nations and engage with local and regional governments and stakeholders as the project advances.

Information about the extension application and review process is available on the Environmental Assessment Office's website.

We're now working to advance the project based on the conditions and commitments contained in the Environmental Assessment Certificate and Application (e.g., those related to environment, construction, community infrastructure, worker accommodation, and others).

Revelstoke Dam and Generating Station are located on the Columbia River, 5 km upstream from the City of Revelstoke. The facilities are part of our Columbia system with Revelstoke Reservoir and Mica Dam located upstream and the Hugh L. Keenleyside Dam and Arrow Lakes Reservoir downstream.

If a new capacitor station is required, it would be located on BC Hydro property approximately 19 km west of Summerland.

The generating unit would be located within the asserted traditional territories of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, Ktunaxa Nation, and Secwepemc Nation. The capacitor station would overlap the asserted traditional territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

The figures below show where the various project components would be located:

We plan to start construction in spring 2026 and anticipate that the project would be operational by December 2032. The schedule will be refined as the project advances.

Revelstoke Unit 6 will add 500 MW of generating capacity to BC Hydro's system to help support electrification, meet peak demand, and support the addition of renewable energy sources.

Jobs and economic benefits

• Project construction will create 450+ person years of employment and generate local spending of about $60 million for goods, materials, and services.
  

Maximizing the value of BC Hydro assets

• We're making optimum use of an existing facility.
• This project will give us more flexibility in how we operate and manage our system in the event of outages and respond to periods of uncertainty (e.g., extreme weather events or unplanned outages).

Cost effective

• This is the most inexpensive way to add 500 MW to our system.
• We're adding the final generating unit into an existing bay at the generating station.
  

Minimize footprint

• Revelstoke Unit 6 won’t involve a significant change to the facility and construction activities will be within the existing facility footprint.
• The space for the generator is already built and it just has to be installed.

Construction will be completed by independent contractors through several large contracts awarded according to BC Hydro’s procurement policies.

Based on the experience of the REV 5 and Mica 5 and 6 projects, the following types of goods and services could be supplied, at least in part, by local and First Nations owned and operated enterprises.

We’ll work with suppliers to increase the involvement of local businesses in economic opportunities associated with this project, including the procurement of materials, goods, and services. We’ll also work with First Nations to develop a First Nations training, employment and procurement plan.

Construction will be completed by independent contractors through several large contracts awarded according to BC Hydro’s procurement policies.

Based on the experience of the REV 5 and Mica 5 and 6 projects, the following types of goods and services could be supplied, at least in part, by local and First Nations owned and operated enterprises.

We’ll hire construction tradespersons, operators, labourers, technicians, administration staff and supervisors under the provisions of the Columbia Hydro Constructors Agreement which will be used for most workers for Revelstoke Unit 6.

This union agreement:

• Gives first preference to workers living within a 100 km radius of the project site and second preference to those living in the Columbia basin. 
• Has equity hire provisions for qualified workers who are First Nations, women in non-traditional roles, visible minorities, and/or disabled. 

We’ll work with major employers, educational institutions, and economic development agencies to support alignment of recruitment and training initiatives. We’ll also provide a financial contribution to support project-related training.

More information will be available as the project advances.
 

We recognize the importance of open and meaningful consultation with First Nations and engagement with stakeholders through all Project phases.

We worked closely with First Nations on the environmental assessment extension application and we'll continue to work closely with First Nations, governments, communities, and stakeholders as the project advances.