New substation to meet growing demand in Kamloops

Kamloops, BC -- - BC Hydro and the City of Kamloops have reached an agreement for BC Hydro to acquire land from the city for the construction of a new substation in southwest Kamloops. The substation is needed to help meet growing electricity demand.

"BC Hydro is projecting electricity demand to increase by about 30 over the next 10 years alone," said Todd Stone, MLA, Kamloops-South Thompson. "Electricity is the backbone of our economy and essential to our way of life. A growing city needs power and this new substation will help to ensure that reliable power is there when we need it."

The new substation will be built on an industrial site off Bunker Road that is adjacent to the city works yard and Kenna Cartwright Park. The site is close to existing transmission lines and has low potential for environmental and archaeological impacts.

"Over the next 20 years, the population of the city is expected grow by 25 per cent," said Mayor Peter Milobar, City of Kamloops. "Much of this growth will be in the southwest area of Kamloops and we've been working closely with BC Hydro to identify a site for the new substation to ensure the electrical needs of the region are met."

"The new substation in Kamloops is a key part of BC HydroÂ’s capital plan," said Chris O'Riley, Deputy CEO & Capital Infrastructure Project Delivery, BC Hydro. "BC Hydro is making significant investments in the province's generation facilities, power lines and substations to help meet growing demand throughout B.C. This requires investing, on average, $2.4 billion a year, over the next 10 years, in B.C.'s electricity system."

Construction of the new substation is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2016 and the new substation is expected to be in service in 2018. The cost of the project is estimated at $49 million. BC Hydro is currently working on substation design and will host an information session for the public later this year or early next year.