Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project
This emergency project is necessary to replace an existing underground, oil-insulated transmission cable that is at the end of its serviceable life.
What's new
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.
Sep 23 to 27: Geophysics survey at the Gorge Waterway
To assist with the planning of the routing and constructability of the new cable in and around the Gorge Waterway, a geophysics survey will take place September 23 to 27. The survey will be done by boat towing equipment that acquires high-resolution acoustic images about 30 metres down into the sediment and rock. There will also be crews surveying on the shoreline during low tide.
For boating logistics and underwater safety reasons, we're asking all swimmers and watercraft to please stay away from the west side of the Selkirk Trestle from September 23, 11 am to 6 p.m., and September 24 and 25, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There's a smaller water survey area to avoid on September 26 to 27, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The maps below show the approximate areas and dates where the geophysics work will take place and areas of the Gorge Waterway to avoid. The Banfield Park Dock will be open.
Signage will be placed at public access areas around the Gorge Waterway work area, and BC Hydro staff will be available to engage with the public.
Replacing a direct-buried, oil-filled cable with an oil-free cable that is constructed in a duct bank.
The existing underground cable will be decommissioned once the new cable is energized.
It is one of four underground transmission cables critical to the electricity supply for Greater Victoria and was installed in 1980.
Widespread cable corrosion was discovered during recent repairs, increasing the risk of failure.
The project will install the latest technology in transmission cables to ensure safe and reliable electricity for decades.
The Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project is located along an existing right-of-way, approximately 2.7 kilometres in length, that runs between Horsey Substation near downtown Victoria and Esquimalt Substation in Esquimalt. The route includes a 0.4 kilometre submarine crossing along the bottom of the Gorge Waterway between Victoria and Esquimalt. The project is at an early stage of design and some routing variations may occur.
Victoria to Esquimalt cable replacement project map
Select the project map [PDF, 3.3 MB] to view it at a larger size.
| Project Launch | Winter 2023 |
| Engineering and environmental studies | Fall 2023 to summer 2024 |
| Civil and cable design | Fall 2023 to spring 2025 |
| Construction start | Spring 2025 |
| Cable in-service | Fall 2026 |
Reports and documents
- 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