Energy and Climate Solutions
Summary
- BC Hydro is optimizing its assets and adding more than 1,000 megawatts of new capacity to BC Hydro’s system, an increase of approximately 7%
- The first and largest project is Revelstoke 6, which is starting construction
- The project will add a sixth generating unit to the five in operation at the Revelstoke Generating Station, adding 500 megawatts of capacity to B.C.’s electricity supply
- The project is expected to provide approximately 180 jobs in the region and generate approximately $60 million in local spending on goods and services
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As electricity demand continues to grow in British Columbia, BC Hydro is optimizing existing power facilities to add more than 1,000 megawatts of capacity to the system, strengthening the publicly owned clean-energy system for decades to come.
“We are taking significant action to optimize B.C.’s clean-energy system, including building a brand-new sixth generating unit at the Revelstoke Generating Station, modernizing Units 1-5 at the G.M. Shrum Generating Station, and making other upgrades at sites throughout the province,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “These investments are the best and most cost-effective ways to unlock more power from the system we already have — making every electron count across our public dams, substations, and transmission and distribution lines.”
This boost will increase BC Hydro’s electricity supply by approximately 7%.
Meeting increasing demand for power
Led by the Powering Growth, Fueling Opportunity strategy announced this week, BC Hydro is optimizing equipment, upgrading hydroelectric facilities, and improving operational efficiency at its existing assets. These actions will deliver firm, reliable capacity at lower cost and with less environmental impact than building new facilities, while maximizing the value of decades of public investment.
BC Hydro will undertake upgrades across its system, including:
- building a sixth generating unit at the Revelstoke Generating Station, adding 500 megawatts
- modernizing Units 1-5 at G.M. Shrum Generating Station at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, adding 100 megawatts
- completing upgrades to Units 1-4 at Revelstoke Generation Station; Units 1-4 at Mica Generating Station; and upgrades at Seven Mile, Falls River, Clowhom, Wahleach, Kootenay Canal, Seton Generating Stations, together adding more than 400 megawatts
“These system upgrades at sites across British Columbia are an integral part of our Powering Growth, Fueling Opportunity strategy,” said George Anderson, parliamentary secretary for energy and climate solutions. “We are planning for the future and optimizing our existing assets now to ensure British Columbians continue to have access to the clean energy they need for generations to come.”
Revelstoke Unit 6
Construction of the Revelstoke Unit 6 project has begun. Construction is taking place within the existing generation station, significantly limiting the environmental footprint of the project. Work includes:
- installing a 500-megawatt generating unit in an existing turbine bay
- building a sixth steel penstock on the dam face
- upgrading mechanical and electrical systems, including a new generator transformer and switchgear
Approximately 60 workers are on site. Workforce levels are expected to peak at approximately 180 workers in 2029. The project is expected to generate approximately $60 million in local spending on goods, materials, and services, creating opportunities for local businesses and First Nation-owned companies. The sixth unit is expected to be in service by December 2032.
“Revelstoke Unit 6 is a cost-effective and low-impact way to add 500 megawatts of new clean capacity to our system,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “We are making full use of an existing facility, improving system flexibility, strengthening peak reliability and ensuring we are ready to meet our customers’ energy needs as demand for power accelerates across the province.”
Quick Facts:
- Over the past 18 months, BC Hydro has awarded 14 electricity-purchase agreements to new clean-energy projects in B.C., enough to power approximately 850,000 homes, and boosting BC Hydro’s supply by 13%.
- B.C. has the third-lowest electricity rates in North America.
Learn More:
- To learn more about how B.C. is powering growth,, visit: https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/corporate/regulatory-planning-documents/powering-growth/powering-growth-plan.pdf
- For more information on the Revelstoke Generating Station Unit 6 Project, visit: https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/revelstoke-unit-6.html
- To learn more about BC Hydro’s Power Smart 2.0 energy efficiency plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026ECS0024-000567
- To see footage of the Revelstoke Generation Station, visit: https://vimeo.com/1202203898/43e69f6436
