The December major projects inventory released today reports a record number and value of major construction projects planned or underway across B.C. last quarter.

Fully 957 major construction projects with an estimated value of $198.7 billion are planned or underway across the province.

This includes 51 clean-technology projects, with an estimated value of $17.2 billion, such as the proposed $75-million Wildmare Wind Energy Project in Chetwynd, and the $50-million PGP Bio Energy Project under construction in Prince George.

The inventory also features 101 projects that are, or are aiming to be, certified under a recognized green building rating system like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or Green Globes, such as the proposed $20-million Central Saanich Fire Hall on Vancouver Island.

Together, clean-technology and LEED projects represent 16 per cent of the overall number of major construction projects planned or underway in the province during the last quarter.

Published quarterly, the Major Projects Inventory lists all major projects that are proposed, planned or underway in British Columbia. These are projects with a capital cost of at least $20 million within the Lower Mainland and projects valued at $15 million or more in the rest of B.C.

Quote:

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Investment:

"The record number and value of major projects shows that construction is having a positive economic impact all around the province despite some slowing of our economic recovery. It's encouraging to see that $17 billion worth of clean energy projects are proposed throughout B.C., which demonstrates B.C.'s commitment to being a leader in the global low-carbon economy."

Quick Facts:

* Major project inventory numbers are up over eight percent since December 2009 with 75 more projects planned or underway. The estimated value of these projects is up six per cent, or $11.6 billion, over the same quarter last year.

According to the latest major projects inventory, between October and December 2010:

* 957 major capital projects worth $198.7 billion were planned or underway across B.C. This is more than four times the value, and three times the number of major construction projects in B.C. in 2001.

* 30 major projects started construction, with an estimated value of $1.5 billion. The largest of these was the $201-million Vancouver City Central Transmission Project.

* The capital cost of all major projects under construction in B.C. was estimated at $61.8 billion.

* 22 major projects completed construction with an estimated capital cost of approximately $1.9 billion; the largest was the $660-million East Toba River and Montrose Creek Hydroelectric Projects in Powell River, followed by the $300-million Noel Gas Project in Dawson Creek.

Regional project numbers and values (includes projects completed during the quarter):

* Lower Mainland/Southwest: 468 projects with an estimated capital cost of about $65.6 billion.

* Vancouver Island/Coast: 164 projects with an estimated capital cost of about $34.5 billion.

* Thompson/Okanagan: 168 projects with an estimated capital cost of about $30.5 billion.

* Kootenay: 32 projects with an estimated capital cost of about $6.8 billion.

* Cariboo: 40 projects with an estimated capital cost of about $6.1 billion.

* North Coast: 51 projects with an estimated capital cost of about $37.2 billion.

* Nechako: 17 projects with an estimated capital cost of about $2.6 billion.

* Northeast: 39 projects with an estimated capital cost of about $17 billion.

* Total number of projects: 979 projects with an estimated capital cost of about $200.6 billion.

Learn More:

The December 2010 edition of the Major Projects Inventory is available online at:

www.fin.gov.bc.ca/small_business/MPI_Report_Dec2010.pdf

Contact:

Carolyn Heiman

Communications Manager

Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation

250 387-2799

250 888-3545 (cell)

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect