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Prince George to Terrace Capacitors Project

Capacitor station
Prince George Capacitor Station

What's new

Construction is ongoing at all three capacitor station sites: Saranovich (near Vanderhoof), Palling (near Burns Lake) and Walcott (near Telkwa).

All three sites have been prepared for station construction. Concrete foundation installation for equipment and buildings at all three sites will start in 2025. Construction at Skeena Substation for the new transformer will continue in 2025.

We're working to increase the transfer capacity of the existing 450 km, 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines from Prince George to Terrace by constructing three new capacitor stations through the Prince George to Terrace Capacitors project:

  • Saranovich Capacitor Station 1 near Vanderhoof (CAP1)
  • Palling Capacitor Station 2 near Burns Lake (CAP2)
  • Walcott Capacitor Station 3 near Telkwa (CAP3)
Prince George to Terrace Capacitors project map.
Prince George to Terrace Capacitors project map.

Select the map [PDF, 1.8 MB] to view it at a larger size.

We're also adding a transformer to Skeena Substation near Terrace to decrease the 500 kV electricity to voltages suitable for our customers. The work is entirely within the substation fence and expansion is not required.

A number of industries in the North Coast such as mining and liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments have requested power from us. We need to increase capacity along the existing 500 kV transmission line between Prince George and Terrace to meet the customers' needs.

A capacitor station contains equipment to boost the amount of electricity that a transmission line can carry. These stations are fenced, outdoor facilities that must be constructed on flat land, adjacent to or near the existing transmission line. Capacitor stations can significantly increase the capacity of the existing transmission line in a cost-effective, safe, and reliable way.

All three sites have been prepared for station construction. Concrete foundation installation for equipment and buildings will start in 2025 for all three sites. Additional detail on work completed to date and upcoming work is provided for each station below.

The expected project in-service date is 2028.

Saranovich Capacitor Station

Work completed:

  • 2022 – Tree clearing
  • 2023 – Access road construction
  • 2023 – Installation of new 500 kV transmission tower
  • 2024 – Site levelled

Upcoming work:

  • 2025 – Start construction of civil foundations
  • 2026 – Complete full station build and commissioning
Saranovich Capacitor Station Site
Saranovich Capacitor Station Site
Site preparation at Saranovich Capacitor Station site.
Site preparation at Saranovich Capacitor Station site.

Palling Capacitor Station

Work completed:

  • 2022 – Tree clearing
  • 2023 – Access road construction
  • 2023 – Installation of new 500 kV transmission tower
  • 2024 – Site levelled

Upcoming work:

  • 2025 – Start construction of civil foundations
  • 2026 – Complete full station build and commissioning
Site preparation at Palling Capacitor Station site.
Site preparation at Palling Capacitor Station site.
Tower installation at Palling Capacitor Station site.
Tower installation at Palling Capacitor Station site.

Walcott Capacitor Station

Work completed:

  • 2024 – Tree clearing
  • 2024 –Access road construction
  • 2024 – Installation of new 500 kV transmission tower
  • 2024 – Site levelled
  • 2024 – 138 kV line relocation

Upcoming work:

  • 2025 – Start construction of civil foundations
  • 2027 – Complete full station build and commissioning
Capacitor Pad at Walcott Capacitor Station Site.
Tower installation at Walcott Capacitor Station Site.
Tower installation at Walcott Capacitor Station Site.
Tower installation at Walcott Capacitor Station Site.

Skeena Substation

Work completed:

  • 2024 – Started construction of civil foundations

Upcoming work:

  • 2025 – Continue civil foundations and start electrical work
  • 2026 – Complete installation and commissioning of transformer and associated equipment
Foundation installation at Skeena Substation
Foundation installation at Skeena Substation

Contact us

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

Email: projects@bchydro.com
Phone: 604 623 4472
Toll free: 1 866 647 3334