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Jervis Inlet and Agamemnon Channel Power Line Replacement Project

The towers at Jervis Inlet North prior to the removal work.
The towers at Jervis Inlet North prior to the removal work.

As part of an emergent capital project, we're replacing the 138 kilovolt (kV) power lines that cross Jervis Inlet and Agamemnon Channel. These power lines are at high risk of failure due to age and ocean spray corrosion.

What's new

October 2025

The transmission line crossing Jervis Inlet was successfully removed in October 2025. We thank the community for their understanding and support as we completed this critical work. To learn more about our progress, review our photo gallery, and info bulletin on the record-setting marine power line removal.

What we're doing

There are 138 kV and 230 kV power lines that deliver electricity to substations serving about 10,000 customers within the City of Powell River and surrounding area, including Cortes Island and Texada Island.

We're replacing the 138 kV power line and aviation marker balls that cross Jervis Inlet and Agamemnon Channel because the power line is at a high risk of failure due to its age and ocean spray corrosion. The 138 kV power line marine crossings will be upgraded to 230 kV standards by spring 2027.

We plan to replace the 230 kV power line and the aviation marker balls at the two marine crossings at a later date.

We've been consulting with shíshálh Nation and engaging with key stakeholders about the project.

Project information sheet [PDF, 354 KB].

Jervis Inlet North, showing the 230 kV power lines.
Jervis Inlet North, showing the 230 kV power lines.

Why we're doing it

This project will maintain public safety for the marine area below the power lines, enhance visibility of the lines for air traffic, and ensure electricity reliability for our customers in Powell River and the surrounding areas.

Communities affected

Image of Jervis Inlet crossing from Nelson Island.
Jervis Inlet crossing from Nelson Island.

The Jervis Inlet crossing is located about 2.5 kilometres east of Saltery Bay and crosses to the north side of Nelson Island. The Agamemnon Channel crossing is located about 1.5 kilometres southwest of Earls Cove and crosses to the south side of Nelson Island. The project work will impact the wider community beyond these areas through planned power outages, marine closures under the power lines during power line construction, and temporary closures to parts of the Sunshine Coast Trail.

Sunshine Coast Trail closures

The Sunshine Coast Trail at Saltery Bay will be closed until January 31, 2026 to support access road construction and tree clearing. These measures are necessary to ensure the safety of the public and our crews.

An alternate route will be available at all times via the Saltery Bay FSR Branch 01 to Rainy Day Lake as well as the upper trail to Elephant Lake and Lois Lake.

Schedule

A tentative schedule is provided below, but this is subject to change as we confirm project plans.
 

Dates Planned work
Spring 2026 Removal and restringing of the 138 kV line across Agamemnon Channel, upgraded to 230 kV standards.
Fall 2026 or spring 2027 Restringing of the line across Jervis Inlet, upgraded to 230 kV standards.
Future stage Replacement of adjacent 230 kV lines and aviation marker balls at both crossings. This work will be completed under a separate project.

 

Get in touch

If you'd like to learn more about the project, please contact:

Mary Anne Coules
Phone: 250 608 1885
Email: maryanne.coules@bchydro.com
 

Photo gallery

The towers at Jervis Inlet North prior to the removal work.
The towers at Jervis Inlet North prior to the removal work.
The power lines across Jervis Inlet from Nelson Island.
The power lines across Jervis Inlet from Nelson Island.
The first conductor severed using controlled detonation.
The first conductor severed using controlled detonation.
The last remaining conductor next to the parallel 230 kV power line. The 230 kV line will continue to supply power to Powell River and surrounding areas.
The last remaining conductor next to the parallel 230 kV power line. The 230 kV line will continue to supply power to Powell River and surrounding areas.
Detonation specialists work with a BC Hydro power line technician to secure the detonation device on the conductor.
Detonation specialists work with a BC Hydro power line technician to secure the detonation device on the conductor.
Detonation specialists work with a BC Hydro power line technician to secure the detonation device on the third and final conductor.
Detonation specialists work with a BC Hydro power line technician to secure the detonation device on the third and final conductor.
The towers at Jervis Inlet North following the removal of the power line.
The towers at Jervis Inlet North following the removal of the power line.
The conductors were retrieved using a barge with a cable reel.
The conductors were retrieved using a barge with a cable reel.
The barge and safety vessels in Jervis Inlet during the retrieval of the conductor.
The barge and safety vessels in Jervis Inlet during the retrieval of the conductor.
Sunrise over Jervis Inlet.
Sunrise over Jervis Inlet.
Crews prepare the towers at the Nelson Island side of the line.
Crews prepare the towers at the Nelson Island side of the line.
The last conductor as seen from behind the tower on Nelson Island.
The last conductor as seen from behind the tower on Nelson Island.
Biologists were on site to ensure that the humpback whales and other marine mammals were not below the lines prior to removal.
Biologists were on site to ensure that the humpback whales and other marine mammals were not below the lines prior to removal.
Humpback whales visited our crews daily.
Humpback whales visited our crews daily.