Victoria to Saanich Cable Replacement Project
We're undertaking a project to replace an existing underground, oil-insulated end of life transmission cables with a new, higher capacity, oil free cable.
What's new
August 2026
We've posted our first community construction monthly report on the investigative work along city streets for the Victoria to Saanich Cable Replacement Project. The August 2026 report [PDF, 11.3 MB] covers the project's status and activities and construction schedule. The investigative work is planned to be complete in October 2026.
July 2026
A media notice was issued on July 22 announcing the start of investigative work along the 7.4 kilometres cable route from the Horsey Substation in Victoria, off Summit Avenue, to Douglas Street where it then turns onto Alpha Street to Burnside Road, and up Burnside Road and Interurban Road to the Goward Substation, by Camosun College, in the District of Saanich.
The investigative work begins around August 4 and may take about three months.
We have updated our project map [PDF, 812 KB] that shows the existing cable and the new cable route.
Project open houses are planned for fall 2026 to go over the project and the cable duct bank construction that may start in summer 2027. Please follow this web page for more details and to register for the open houses.
Replacing a direct-buried, oil-filled cable with a higher capacity, oil-free cable that is constructed in a duct bank.
The existing underground cable will be decommissioned once the new cable is energized.
The cable was installed in 1976 and is nearing end-of-life. It is one of four underground transmission cables critical to the electricity supply for Greater Victoria.
The project will address the reliability, environmental and seismic risks associated with the existing cable while also meeting electricity load growth.
The Victoria to Saanich Cable Replacement Project is located primarily within existing roadways, approximately, 7.4 kilometres in length between Horsey Substation near downtown Victoria and Goward Substation in Saanich. The new cable will mainly follow the existing route.
Victoria to Saanich Cable Replacement project map
View the project map [PDF, 812 KB] at a larger size.
| Activity | Key dates |
|---|---|
| Engineering and environmental studies | Ongoing |
| Civil and cable design | Ongoing |
| Project engagement with City of Victoria and District of Saanich | Ongoing |
| Construction start | As early as summer 2027 |
| Cable in-service | 2029 / 2030 |
Reports and documents
- Investigative Works Report 1: Victoria to Saanich Cable Replacement Project (August 2026) [PDF, 11.3 MB]
- Operational update: BC Hydro advances Greater Victoria transmission upgrade with pre-construction investigative work starting Aug. 4 (July 22, 2026)
- Victoria to Saanich Project virtual community open house #1 (February 2024) [PDF, 1.9 MB]
- Victoria to Saanich cable replacement project map [PDF, 812 KB]
Get in touch
If you'd like to learn more about the project, please contact:
City of Victoria work area: Stephen Watson
Email: steve.watson@bchydro.com
Phone: 250 616 9888
District of Saanich work area: Jason Macnaughton
Email: jason.macnaughton@bchydro.com
Phone: 250 508 2947
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The personal information (email address) collected in this form by BC Hydro is collected under the authority of Section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for BC. The personal information is collected for the purpose of providing you with updates about the Victoria to Saanich Cable Replacement Project. Information may be stored outside of Canada. If you have any questions concerning how your personal information is handled, please contact Jason Macnaughton at Jason.macnaughton@bchydro.com. Unsubscribe from project updates.