Despite lingering protests against it, the Site C project hit another milestone today.
BC Hydro has awarded German firm Voith the $470 million contract for the manufacturer and installation of six turbines and generators.
“The design and manufacture of these units is highly highly specialized work.” BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald said “There is only a limited number of companies internationally that are capable of supplying turbines and generators, they have to be custom designed for each hydroelectric facility.”
The supplier has a long history of supplying BC Hydro with turbines and generators dating back to 1930, for projects including: Revelstoke Unit 5 Project, Ruskin Dam and Powerhouse Upgrade, and the Gordon M. Shrum Turbine Replacement Project.
“Site C is currently the biggest energy infrastructure project in Canada. We are proud to bring new power generation capacity to this province.” Voith Canada CEO Bill Malus said
BC Hydro says the turbine-generator units are so large, the fuselage of a Boeing 747 could fit through the penstock. Each turbine-generator unit has an output of 250,000 horsepower, which is equivalent to about 600 Ford Mustang GTs at maximum power.
The turbine-generator section of the project will employ 150 workers at peak installation in 2022.
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