VANCOUVER: BC Hydro has successfully removed one of the world’s longest overwater power line crossings using controlled detonation – a likely first for a marine crossing of this scale in North America and a major milestone in the decommissioning of electrical infrastructure.
Installed in the late 1960s, the 138-kilovolt power line was one of two supplying electricity to about 10,000 customers in Powell River and surrounding communities. Stretching over three kilometres across Jervis Inlet, it was the longest marine crossing of its kind globally when installed, and remains the longest marine crossing in BC Hydro’s system.
The weeklong operation to remove the aging infrastructure – which will be replaced by 2027 – mobilized a team of 60 personnel. A controlled detonation device was used to safely cut the three steel conductors, each under approximately 70,000 pounds of tension. The controlled detonation allowed BC Hydro to complete the work safely and efficiently ahead of winter when storms and ice would have made the line more susceptible to failure.
Each conductor was severed individually to prevent entanglement and allow for safe recovery. Once cut and dropped, the conductors were retrieved using a barge equipped with cable reels. This operation is believed to be the second longest overwater power line crossing removed by explosive charge globally – verification is currently underway.
Jervis Inlet is home to a rich marine ecosystem, including whales, dolphins, fish, and shellfish. BC Hydro’s environmental specialists worked closely with marine biologists to minimize ecological impact and ensure regulatory compliance. Work was paused several times when humpback whales were spotted in the area and did not resume until the whales had moved away from the area below the power lines.
Extensive consultation with First Nations, local governments, and stakeholders – including BC Ferries, marinas, and commercial marine operators – helped shape safety and environmental plans. To ensure public and crew safety, daytime marine traffic was restricted, and BC Ferries temporarily rerouted service between Saltery Bay and Earls Cove.
This milestone marks the start of a phased approach to upgrade the electrical system that crosses Jervis Inlet and the Agamemnon Channel. The next phase will involve removing and restringing the Agamemnon Channel crossing in spring 2026, followed by the installation of the new power line across the Jervis Inlet crossing by 2027. Both crossings will be upgraded to 230-kilovolt standards to improve reliability and increase capacity for Powell River and surrounding communities.
This project will improve safety for marine and air traffic and ensure long-term electricity reliability for customers in Powell River and surrounding areas. To learn more about this critical work, visit bchydro.com/jervisagamemnon.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468