Powering up: Kootenay Canal on books for improvements from BC Hydro
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
One of the more popular recreational areas outside of Nelson will be receiving some work over the next few years, according to BC Hydro.
Mary Anne Coules, spokesperson for the Crown corporation, said the there are plans for the Kootenay Canal — located 22 kilometres south of Nelson — to upgrade, refurbish or replace various equipment, including generation equipment and electrical equipment, at the station.
The popular walking area — for dog walking, fishing and disc golf — will not be compromised in the improvements, however, with the generation station receiving all of the work.
On the Arrow Lakes, the Hugh L. Keenleyside Dam will receive gantry crane replacements, gate refurbishments and large civil infrastructure refurbishments.
Coules said BC Hydro is making investment across the Southern Interior to “expand the electricity grid, upgrade and improve our operating and generating facilities and infrastructure to ensure continued, reliable supply of clean power across the region and reduce the risk of extended outages due to wildfires.”
The investments significantly upgrade the generating facilities and transmission lines to improve dam safety, replace aging or end-of-life equipment and reduce the risk of extended outages due to wildfires, said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro.
“These investments, along with upgrades to our substations, and underground and overhead distribution infrastructure, will ensure BC Hydro can continue to provide clean, reliable and affordable electricity,” he said.
In the next 10 years BC Hydro will invest around $5.8 billion in capital projects in the Southern Interior, Coules said.
The construction projects will create thousands of good jobs over the next decade and ensure that people have access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity, said Josie Osborne, minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, in a press release.
“We must build out B.C.’s electrical system like never before to power our homes and businesses, to power a growing economy and to power our future,” she said.
The new construction projects are forecasted to support 10,500 to 12,500 jobs on average annually, and will increase and maintain BC Hydro’s capital investments as major projects like Site C are completed, the release detailed.
All of the work is with an eye on the growing demand for electricity across sectors due to population growth and housing construction, as well as increased industrial development and people and businesses switching to clean electricity from fossil fuels.
Electricity demand in B.C. is expected to increase by 15 per cent or more between now and 2030, with 98 per cent of the power generated for B.C.’s integrated grid from clean or renewable resources.
The southern Interior is experiencing growth in communities like Kamloops, West Kelowna, Lillooet, 100 Mile House, Vernon, and Lake Country.
