B.C.'s Site C Dam project now fully online and operational
All six units are in service, BC Hydro said, meaning Site C now has capacity to generate more than 1,100 megawatts of electricity and enough energy to reliably power about 500,000 homes annually.
The project increases BC Hydro's total electricity supply by about eight per cent.
'The commission of Site C's final generating unit is another step forward to securing B.C.'s clean energy future,' Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, said in a statement.
2:06
Surrey group proposes solution for Site C work camp
Construction on Site C began in 2015 with the first unit coming online in October 2024.
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'Bringing the final generating unit online is a proud moment for everyone at BC Hydro,' Charlotte Mitha, BC Hydro president and CEO, said.
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'Site C represents years of dedication, innovation, collaboration and overcoming challenges. Now that Site C is in full operation, it will serve our customers for the next 100 years and play a critical role in ensuring a stable and reliable electricity system.'
The powerhouse and generating station, paving on access roads, final equipment commissioning and addressing any deficiencies are still projects to be completed, according to BC Hydro.
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CBC
21 hours ago
- CBC
Site C dam energy project now fully operational, B.C. Hydro says
Social Sharing B.C. Hydro says that the sixth and final generating unit on the Site C hydroelectric megaproject in northeast B.C. is now online. The massive energy project has been under construction since 2015, and its first generating unit became operational last October, when power began being supplied to the grid. At $16 billion, nearly double of its initial price tag, Site C is considered B.C.'s most expensive infrastructure project. It went ahead despite court cases from First Nations and other groups, some of which decried the impact of flooding land and changing the course of the massive Peace River in northeast B.C. Site C was initially approved by the then-B.C. Liberal government in 2010, and the project stayed on course after a review by the B.C. NDP government in 2017. B.C. Hydro estimates the dam will be able to provide 5,100 gigawatt hours of electricity each year, adding eight per cent to the province's total production capacity. The hydroelectric project draws from an 83-kilometre-long reservoir, which covers an area of about 5,550 hectares of land, 25 times the size of Stanley Park. WATCH | Who benefits from Site C: Who stands to gain from the massive Site C dam? 8 months ago After nearly a decade of construction, the massive Site C dam is finally generating electricity. But the debate about the megaproject is far from over. While it's meant to power thousands of homes and electric cars, what is the real cost and who stands to gain? Camille Vernet reports. It was filled in with water starting last August, and Energy Minister Adrian Dix said that "generations of British Columbians" would benefit from the clean electricity generated by the project. "The commission of Site C's final generating unit is another step forward to securing B.C.'s clean energy future," he said in a statement. Hazards in area: B.C. Hydro B.C. Hydro says that, now that the final generating unit is operational, future construction work at Site C will consist of completing the powerhouse and generating station and paving access roads. The utility estimates it will serve B.C. Hydro customers for the next century, and is now providing enough electricity to power 500,000 homes. "Work also continues to backfill the tunnels used to divert the Peace River, and revegetate areas no longer required for construction," a statement from B.C. Hydro reads. WATCH | Timelapse of Site C dam being filled: Timelapse shows massive Site C dam reservoir being filled 9 months ago Over the course of 11 weeks, B.C. Hydro filled the 83-kilometre long Site C dam reservoir near Fort St. John, covering a surface area 25 times the size of Stanley Park. The utility says that there continue to be a number of hazards in the area around Site C and the surrounding slopes, and it's urging members of the public to stay away for now. "These potential hazards include floating vegetation debris and the surrounding land and shoreline continuing to stabilize," the statement reads. "The new B.C. Hydro public boat launches will open when the reservoir is deemed safe, which is expected to be spring 2026 at the earliest." First Nation opposition The project was not completed without controversy and opposition. In 2018, the West Moberly First Nation lost a bid for an injunction order against the project, having argued that the dam would cause irreparable harm to the nation's territory and way of life — rights protected under Treaty 8. The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs called the ruling a "grave disappointment." Later, in 2022, the nation came to a partial settlement with B.C. Hydro and the provincial and federal governments. It included an impact and benefits agreement between, 5,000 acres of provincial Crown land transferred to the First Nation and an agreement to release West Moberly's claims against the Site C project. At the time, Chief Roland Willson told CBC News he had been reluctant to settle out of court, but his community felt it was out of options.
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
B.C.'s Site C Dam project now fully online and operational
BC Hydro announced on Saturday that the Site C Dam in the province's Peace Region is now fully online and operational. All six units are in service, BC Hydro said, meaning Site C now has capacity to generate more than 1,100 megawatts of electricity and enough energy to reliably power about 500,000 homes annually. The project increases BC Hydro's total electricity supply by about eight per cent. 'The commission of Site C's final generating unit is another step forward to securing B.C.'s clean energy future,' Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, said in a statement. 2:06 Surrey group proposes solution for Site C work camp Construction on Site C began in 2015 with the first unit coming online in October 2024. Story continues below advertisement 'Bringing the final generating unit online is a proud moment for everyone at BC Hydro,' Charlotte Mitha, BC Hydro president and CEO, said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Site C represents years of dedication, innovation, collaboration and overcoming challenges. Now that Site C is in full operation, it will serve our customers for the next 100 years and play a critical role in ensuring a stable and reliable electricity system.' The powerhouse and generating station, paving on access roads, final equipment commissioning and addressing any deficiencies are still projects to be completed, according to BC Hydro.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Vancouver Sun
Site C Dam crosses the finish line with final generating unit coming online
A decade after shovels hit the ground and protest placards were thrust in the air, the Site C Dam has reached full operational capability. The successful commissioning of the sixth and final generating unit on the controversial project was the last to come online over the past 10 months, giving the dam the capacity generate more than 1,100 megawatts of electricity — enough energy to reliably power about 500,000 homes annually. Construction began in July 2015, with the first generating unit coming online in October 2024. The project was hit by legal challenges from First Nations, academics, local landowners and critics, and doubled its original budget of $8.8 billion to $16 billion —making it the most expensive dam in Canadian history — and massive engineering woes. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. But it's made it to the finish line. With the project's completion, B.C. Hydro says it will increase its total electricity supply by about eight per cent, helping make B.C. more energy stable and continuing to transition to greener supply source. 'The commission of Site C's final generating unit is another step forward to securing B.C.'s clean energy future,' said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, in a news release. 'I extend my sincere appreciation to the thousands of people who worked on Site C over the past decade — because of your work, generations of British Columbians will benefit from reliable and affordable clean electricity.' 'Bringing the final generating unit online is a proud moment for everyone at B.C. Hydro,' added Charlotte Mitha, B.C. Hydro President and CEO. 'Site C represents years of dedication, innovation, collaboration and overcoming challenges. Now that Site C is in full operation, it will serve our customers for the next 100 years and play a critical role in ensuring a stable and reliable electricity system.' The focus for the final stages of work on the project now shifts to completing the powerhouse and generating station, finishing paving on access roads, final equipment commissioning and addressing any deficiencies. Any tunnels used to divert the Peace River will be backfilled, and those areas no longer needed for construction will be re-vegetated. While public boat launches will open when the reservoir is deemed safe — in spring 2026 at the earliest — B.C. Hydro is still urging the public to stay away from the Site C reservoir and surrounding slopes, as floating vegetation debris and the surrounding land and shoreline continuing to stabilize still pose a risk.
