Upgrading the Valley

BC Hydro's Columbia Valley Transmission Project is making a strong impact on the local economy

1 of 4A 230-kilovolt transmission line is being constructed in this area. — Photo courtesy BC Hydro

2 of 4The Kicking Horse substation site. — Photo courtesy BC Hydro

3 of 4This project will benefit communities throughout the Columbia Valley. — Photo courtesy BC Hydro

4 of 469 kilovolt right-of-way. — Photo courtesy BC Hydro

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BC Hydro is making a difference in the Kootenays with its new Columbia Valley Transmission (CVT) Project. This development is the most significant investment that BC Hydro has brought to the Columbia Valley in nearly 50 years, and will impact the lives of local residents in a positive way.

"It will increase reliability of the electrical supply in communities from Invermere to Field, and also meet the growing demand for power in this region," said Judy Dobrowolski, who works in Capital Projects Communications and Consultation for BC Hydro.

The project consists of three components. The new Kicking Horse substation will be built on Crown land, on the west side of the Columbia River, near Golden. It will then be connected to the Invermere substation with a brand new 230-kilovolt overhead transmission line that will be approximately 112 kilometres long. Finally the Kicking Horse substation will also be connected to the existing Golden substation with a new 69-kilovolt overhead transmission line.

A work in progress

There will also be expansions and modifications made to the existing substations in Invermere, Cranbrook and Golden. It is expected that the in-service date for the project will be October 2012.

There has been plenty of thought put into the development, and public opinion was taken into account throughout the planning process.

"The project team consulted with the public between Invermere and Golden for about a year," said Dobrowolski. "Nine community open houses and numerous meetings with local stakeholder groups and residents were held so that members of the public could speak directly with the project team and share their views and ideas. We made changes to the project based on public input and the public appreciated our flexibility."

A good corporate citizen

The new transmission line will improve the safety and reliability of electrical service—both for businesses and residents—for the next 30 years. The project has been underway for almost a year, and has already resulted in new employment opportunities and a $17 million boost to the local economy.

"We would like to thank the communities between Invermere and Golden for their patience and understanding while we build this important project," Dobrowolski said. "As construction continues over the next year we would like to renew our commitment to minimizing construction-related impacts to the public."

BC Hydro aims to reduce any inconvenience to the public by minimizing noise, visual and dust impacts; implementing stringent health and safety plans for workers; minimizing disruptions in traffic flow, parking and street access; and restoring any affected areas.

To read more about the Columbia Valley Transmission Project, visit the BC Hydro website.