en.Wedoany.com Reported - BC Hydro has commenced construction of the sixth unit at the Revelstoke Generating Station in British Columbia. With a capacity of 500 megawatts, this unit is the first and largest project under BC Hydro's upgrade plan, which aims to add over 1,000 megawatts of capacity to the provincial power system.
The new unit will add 500 megawatts of power to the utility system, part of a plan to address rising electricity demand across the province and increase overall supply capacity by approximately 7%. Located on the Columbia River in southeastern British Columbia, the Revelstoke Generating Station currently operates five units with a combined capacity of over 2,400 megawatts. The original station design included space for a sixth unit, allowing the expansion to be carried out primarily within the existing facility. The work involves installing the new unit in an existing turbine pit, constructing a sixth penstock on the upstream face of the dam, and upgrading mechanical and electrical systems, including new generator transformers and switchgear. Construction activities are confined to the existing station area, thereby limiting the project's additional environmental impact.
Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, stated that the company is taking significant action to optimize British Columbia's clean energy system, including building the sixth unit at Revelstoke, modernizing units 1 through 5 at the G.M. Shrum Generating Station, and undertaking other upgrades at various sites. These investments are seen as the best and most cost-effective way to generate more electricity from the existing system.
The Revelstoke project is part of BC Hydro's broader strategy focused on upgrading existing hydroelectric assets and improving operational efficiency rather than building new generation facilities. In addition to this unit, the company plans to modernize units 1 through 5 at the G.M. Shrum Generating Station at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, adding approximately 100 megawatts of capacity. Upgrades at Revelstoke, Mica, and several smaller hydro stations are expected to contribute over 400 megawatts of capacity.
George Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy and Climate Solutions, stated that these system upgrades at sites across the province are part of the "Powering Growth, Unlocking Opportunity" strategy, aimed at optimizing existing assets to ensure long-term clean energy supply. Currently, about 60 workers are on site at Revelstoke, with employment expected to peak at approximately 180 by 2029. The project is projected to generate about C$60 million (US$43.8 million) in spending on goods, materials, and services locally, creating opportunities for local businesses and Indigenous-owned companies.
Charlotte Mitha, President and CEO of BC Hydro, noted that the sixth unit is a cost-effective, low-impact solution that adds 500 megawatts of clean capacity to the system. The company is fully leveraging existing facilities to enhance system flexibility and peak reliability in response to accelerating electricity demand growth across the province. The unit is expected to enter service in December 2032.
