Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister responsible for Core Review, today toured the Mount Pleasant substation.

Construction is now substantially complete on the substation, which is one component of the Vancouver City Central Transmission project, the most significant investment in central Vancouver's electrical system in almost 30 years. The project, which is currently tracking below budget and expected to be completed in spring 2014, has an estimated cost of $201 million.

Over the next 30 years, BC Hydro expects demand for electricity to increase by more than 80 per cent in the Mount Pleasant and South False Creek areas due to growing neighbourhoods and expanding technology companies that require reliable electricity to power their needs. The substation and other components of the Vancouver City Central Transmission project will help to increase the reliability of electrical supply throughout Vancouver to support its growing population and economy.

Bennett's tour of the substation included a look at newly installed transformers, which are two storeys high and weigh 250 tonnes, and are used to step down the voltage of electricity from transmission lines so that it can be distributed to customers. The minister also toured the substation's reactor bays, feeder room and control room.

From the time BC Hydro was created more than 50 years ago, British Columbia has built some of the most ambitious hydroelectric and transmission projects in the world. Generations of British Columbians have benefited from the foresight of these historic investments. Today, our population is growing, our economy is expanding and new technologies are advancing every day. BC Hydro is making investments now to meet the province's growing energy needs and support the unprecedented economic potential throughout British Columbia.

Quotes:

Minister of Energy and Mines and Responsible for Core Review Bill Bennett -

"As the largest investment in central Vancouver's electricity system in almost 30 years, this project will supply reliable energy to support the area's expanding businesses and growing neighbourhoods. These types of projects benefit us today, but are also part of a larger vision to ensure that future generations in British Columbia continue to have access to clean and affordable power."

Greg Reimer, executive vice-president, Transmission & Distribution, BC Hydro -

"This project is a key component of our overall capital plan. We must invest in the electrical system that was built decades ago, to ensure British Columbians can continue to count on clean, reliable electricity that powers our economy and way of life."

Learn More:

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

Connect with BC Hydro at: www.bchydro.com

Media Contact:

Jake Jacobs
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines and Responsible for Core Review
250 952-0628

PROJECT BACKGROUNDER

Mount Pleasant Substation

Project details:

• The substation is designed to continue functioning even after a major earthquake and will be one of the most seismically sound buildings in the Lower Mainland.
• The line will connect the new substation to two existing substations: the Cathedral Square Substation in downtown Vancouver and Sperling Substation at Arbutus and W. King Edward Ave.
• To connect the new substation to the existing one downtown, crews had to create a crossing beneath the bed of False Creek and install new underground cable ducts to house the cables for the new transmission line.

What do substations do?

Substations are the link between the transmission and distribution systems. The transmission system delivers the power from the generation source to the substations. Voltage is reduced at substations for business and residential use, and then shared through distribution lines.

BC Hydro owns, operates and maintains more than 300 substations throughout the province.

How does it work?

• Switchgear - Connects high voltage transmission cables carrying power over long distances to the transformers. The new substation uses gas-insulated switchgear, which allows for the use of smaller equipment. Air-insulated equipment is much larger and would cover two city blocks.   
• Transformers - "Step up" or "step down" the electricity's voltage. In this case, voltage is reduced from 230 kilovolts to 12 kilovolts - the voltage customers in Vancouver require. Currently, there are two transformers that are as tall as a two-storey building in the substation and room for a third when it is required.
• Feeders - Distribute electricity from the substation to the customer. Each feeder can provide power to the equivalent of a condo development or 1,000 homes. There are 30 feeders in the station.
• Reactors - Absorb excess electrical energy that could be transferred between the transmission system and the customer. Reactors, which are simply large copper wires, act like a surge protector.
• Control system - Allows BC Hydro to remotely operate the equipment in the substation from the Fraser Valley Operations Centre. The substation will be one of the most seismically safe buildings in the Lower Mainland.

Media Contact:

Jake Jacobs
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines and Responsible for Core Review
250 952-0628