BC Hydro held a trio of open houses this week in Prince George, Vanderhoof and Fraser Lake to beef up its workforce for the North Coast Transmission Line project.
The multi-billion dollar, 450-kilometer electrical infrastructure project is running from Prince George to Terrace, twinning the existing grid to double capacity.
Spokesperson, Mike Kellett told Vista Radio construction is expected to begin soon.
“We are looking at starting construction later this summer for Phase 1 and for Phase 2 of the project, we are currently planning to start that work in 2027.”
“What we are looking to do is twin the existing 500-kilovolt transmission line going west from the Williston Substation out in Pineview (outside of PG) out to the north coast. We are going to do that to meet the demand of various industries like mining and hydrogen.”
Phase 1 of the project is expected to come on line by 2030.
At its peak, the project will create 1,400 to 1,600 jobs. Kellett noted the company has a variety of positions that are open.
“We are looking for all manners of skilled workers including construction, project manager. We had almost 100 folks come by for conversations at the open house in Prince George and it was really gratifying to see a great cross-section of the community, folks of all ages and interest levels were there. We had people interested in exact locations on where we will be in terms of any impact on potential properties.”
Phase 2 will add new 500 kilovolt transmission lines and related infrastructure from Glenannan Substation near Fraser Lake to Skeena Substation in Terrace. The targeted in-service date is slated for 2032.
In addition, the project also involves a reconciliation effort. B.C. Hydro is offering Indigenous communities the opportunity to co-own parts of both phases of the transmission line.
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