Enbridge breaks ground on $4B Sunrise Expansion project in PG

Enbridge shined some light on what was otherwise a dreary mid-summer day in B.C.’s northern capital.

The company announced today (Monday), it broke ground on its four-billion dollars Sunrise Expansion Project in Prince George.

Among the dignitaries in attendance was federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson along with Enbridge CEO Greg, Ebel, Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan and provincial jobs minister Ravi Khalon.

“From approval to groundbreaking in just three months, the Sunrise Expansion Program shows how Canada is getting major projects built. This expansion will provide reliable natural gas for homes, hospitals, schools and B.C.’s growing low-carbon energy sector while creating thousands of well-paying careers and new, diverse international trade opportunities. This is how we strengthen Canadian energy security, support affordability and prove once again what being an energy superpower looks like.” said Hodgson.

The expansion of Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas pipeline will ensure British Columbia’s growing energy needs by providing up to 300 million cubic feet per day of additional transportation capacity on the province’s natural gas transmission system.

This additional capacity will power homes, schools and hospitals; support B.C.’s industrial and manufacturing sectors; and ensure natural gas supplies are available as LNG export facilities — including Woodfibre LNG, the world’s first net-zero facility.

“Today marks an important milestone as construction begins on the Sunrise Expansion Program. We appreciate the ongoing support of the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia to advance this critical natural gas infrastructure project. This project will strengthen energy security, support economic growth, create jobs and help to ensure Canadians have access to reliable, affordable energy for decades to come. We’re proud to be working alongside Indigenous groups, local communities, contractors and labour across British Columbia as we move this project from approval to construction and deliver lasting benefits for Canadians.” added Ebel.

It also adds approximately 140 kilometres of new pipeline by constructing 11 pipeline looping segments, parallel to the existing line, and supplying additional natural gas compression and upgrades and modifications to existing facilities.

The expansion program will add over $3 billion to Canada’s GDP as Canada’s natural gas get further exported to Asian markets.

It will also create 2,500 jobs, including for local Indigenous communities, and generate $700 million in tax revenue to fund local roads, hospitals and schools.

Roughly 1,300 employment opportunities will be based locally.

To accommodate over 800 workers who will be working on the project north of McLeod Lake, temporary workforce accommodations will be set up in Mackenzie and the Pine Pass areas. Other workers will be using local accommodations, restaurants and services, which will help support local businesses.

The project is slated for completion during the fourth-quarter of 2028.