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New Burnaby substation to meet growing electricity demand

BURNABY – Site preparation is underway for a new BC Hydro substation in south Burnaby. The Big Bend substation will help meet growing electricity demand that is being driven mostly by industrial development.

"Demand in the Big Bend area alone is expected to increase by 20 per cent over the next 10 years," said Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines. "We have seen huge industrial and commercial growth in the area already and it is BC Hydro's job to ensure there is reliable power to help support economic activity."

The new substation is expected to cost $56 million. Much of the substation equipment will be housed in two buildings. BC Hydro will also build a park on the property that will be accessible to the public.

"We have been collaborating with the City of Burnaby to ensure the architecture and landscaping fit into the development plans for the surrounding area," said Chris O'Riley, Deputy CEO & Capital Infrastructure Project Delivery, BC Hydro. "This is a unique project, but it is just one example of the type of investments we must make in our system to ensure there is reliable power for homes, businesses and industry."

The substation is being built on Byrne Road between Marine Way and North Fraser Way. "The site is challenging – it's in the flats near the Fraser River so it cannot be stabilized using traditional pile driving because there is no bedrock to support the piles," added O'Riley. "Instead, crews are stabilizing the ground using a technique called 'deep soil mixing.' This involves injecting a special concrete mixture deep into the ground and mixing it with soil to form soil-concrete pillars."

Crews began preparing the site in May. The deep soil mixing is being completed by Burnaby's Pacific Ground Engineering. Construction of the actual substation will begin this fall and the new substation will be in-service in the spring of 2017.

The Big Bend substation is part of BC Hydro's capital plan that includes investments in the province's generation facilities, power lines and substations to help meeting growing demand. BC Hydro is investing, on average, $2.4 billion a year, over the next 10 years, in the B.C.'s electricity system.

For more information visit bchydro.com/bigbendsub.

Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
p. 604 928 6468