Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project
This emergency project replaces an existing underground, mineral oil-insulated transmission cable that’s at the end of its serviceable life.
In August 2023, a circuit failed in Arbutus Park near the shoreline of the Gorge Waterway and Cecelia Creek, and during its repair we found widespread corrosion on the outer sheath of the cables. We are currently working on the cable placement design, sourcing the new cables, and working to start construction in early 2025.
The new cable will help maintain transmission system reliability with a higher electricity capacity and improved seismic resiliency. It will also be oil-free, making it better for the environment.
What's new
November 2024
From November 25 to December 13, we will be conducting a geotechnical drilling survey within the Gorge Waterway to support our planning of the routing and constructability of the new cable. A barge and drilling equipment will drill six holes up to 45 metres deep into the sediment and rock.
We'll be working 24 hours a day on every day except Sunday. It may take a few days to drill each hole and the barge will only move when travelling to the next drill location.
We have put measures in place to limit the noise from the drilling work, particularly at night. The work will be contained within a vertical steel pipe from the water surface to the seafloor.
For Gorge Waterway users such as paddle boarders, rowers and kayakers, we ask that you please stay away from the floating booms around the drilling work area. Water users will be able to navigate around the barge.
Signage will be placed at public access areas around the Gorge Waterway work area, and staff will be available to answer questions.
Geotechnical drilling work area
February 2024
We held our first virtual open house session on February 29, 2024. View a copy of the Virtual Open House presentation [PDF, 4.0 MB].
The next virtual open house session will be held in late 2024 or early 2025.
We're constructing an oil-free cable within a duct bank to replace an existing direct-buried cable filled with mineral oil.
The existing underground cable will be removed once the new cable is in-service.
The Greater Victoria area has four transmission circuits that serve about 160,000 BC Hydro customers. Two of those circuits have either been upgraded or are in satisfactory condition.
One circuit that was installed in 1980 has widespread cable corrosion, which was discovered during an August 2023 cable failure and repair beside the Gorge Waterway. This emergency project will replace that cable with the latest technology to ensure safety and reliability for decades.
The last Greater Victoria transmission circuit (running from Victoria to Saanich) is at moderate risk of failure. A separate project is underway to replace that circuit by 2028.
This project is about 2.7 kilometres long and runs between the Horsey Substation off Topaz Avenue, within the City of Victoria, and the Esquimalt Substation off Dominion Street, within the Township of Esquimalt. The route includes a 0.4 kilometre submarine crossing along the bottom of the Gorge Waterway.
The project is located within the territories of Cowichan Tribes, Esquimalt Nation, Halalt First Nation, Lake Cowichan First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Pauquachin First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, Songhees Nation, Stz’uminus First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tsawout First Nation, and Tseycum First Nation. BC Hydro has engaged these communities and will continue to work with them throughout the project.
We will continue to consult with First Nations and engage with the Victoria and Esquimalt communities, including local governments, government agencies, neighbourhood associations, environmental groups, business organizations, and the general public.
Victoria to Esquimalt cable replacement project map
Select the project map [PDF, 3.3 MB] to view it at a larger size.
Horsey Substation in Victoria
Esquimalt Substation in Esquimalt.
| Project Launch | Winter 2023 |
| Engineering and environmental studies | Fall 2023 to fall 2024 |
| Civil and cable design | Fall 2023 to spring 2025 |
| Construction starts along city streets | Spring 2025 |
| Construction starts in Gorge Waterway |
Winter 2025 |
| Cable in-service |
Summer 2026 |
Reports and documents
- Project letter #3 to residents around the Gorge Waterway (November 20, 2024) [PDF, 382 KB]
- Gorge Waterway Geophysics survey closure maps (September 23-27, 2024) [PDF, 1.1 MB]
- Project letter #2 to residents around the Gorge Waterway (September 10, 2024) [PDF, 519 KB]
- Project letter to residents around the Gorge Waterway (June 21, 2024) [PDF, 248 KB]
- Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project Virtual Open House #1 presentation (February 29, 2024) [PDF, 4.0 MB]
- Victoria to Esquimalt cable replacement project map [PDF, 3.3 MB]
Contact us
If you'd like to learn more about the project, please contact us at:
Email: steve.watson@bchydro.com
Phone: 250 616 9888