Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project
This emergency project is necessary to replace an existing underground, oil-insulated transmission cable that is at the end of its serviceable life.
What's new
November 2024
From November 25 to December 13, we will be conducting a geotechnical drilling survey within the Gorge Waterway to support our planning of the routing and constructability of the new cable. A barge and drilling equipment will drill six holes up to 45 metres deep into the sediment and rock.
We’ll be working 24 hours a day on every day except Sunday. It may take a few days to drill each hole and the barge will only move when travelling to the next drill location.
We have put measures in place to limit the noise from the drilling work, particularly at night. The work will be contained within a vertical steel pipe from the water surface to the seafloor.
For Gorge Waterway users such as paddle boarders, rowers and kayakers, we ask that you please stay away from the floating booms around the drilling work area. Water users will be able to navigate around the barge.
Signage will be placed at public access areas around the Gorge Waterway work area, and staff will be available to answer questions.
Geotechnical drilling work area
February 2024
We held our first virtual open house session on February 29, 2024. View a copy of the Virtual Open House presentation [PDF, 4.0 MB].
The next virtual open house session will be held in late 2024 or early 2025.
Replacing a direct-buried, oil-filled cable with an oil-free cable that is constructed in a duct bank.
The existing underground cable will be decommissioned once the new cable is energized.
It is one of four underground transmission cables critical to the electricity supply for Greater Victoria and was installed in 1980.
Widespread cable corrosion was discovered during recent repairs, increasing the risk of failure.
The project will install the latest technology in transmission cables to ensure safe and reliable electricity for decades.
The Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project is located along an existing right-of-way, approximately 2.7 kilometres in length, that runs between Horsey Substation near downtown Victoria and Esquimalt Substation in Esquimalt. The route includes a 0.4 kilometre submarine crossing along the bottom of the Gorge Waterway between Victoria and Esquimalt. The project is at an early stage of design and some routing variations may occur.
Victoria to Esquimalt cable replacement project map
Select the project map [PDF, 3.3 MB] to view it at a larger size.
| Project Launch | Winter 2023 |
| Engineering and environmental studies | Fall 2023 to summer 2024 |
| Civil and cable design | Fall 2023 to spring 2025 |
| Construction start | Spring 2025 |
| Cable in-service | Fall 2026 |
Reports and documents
- Project letter #3 to residents around the Gorge Waterway (November 20, 2024) [PDF, 382 KB]
- Gorge Waterway Geophysics survey closure maps (September 23-27, 2024) [PDF, 1.1 MB]
- Project letter #2 to residents around the Gorge Waterway (September 10, 2024) [PDF, 519 KB]
- Project letter to residents around the Gorge Waterway (June 21, 2024) [PDF, 248 KB]
- Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project Virtual Open House #1 presentation (February 29, 2024) [PDF, 4.0 MB]
- Victoria to Esquimalt cable replacement project map [PDF, 3.3 MB]
Contact us
If you'd like to learn more about the project, please contact us at:
Email: steve.watson@bchydro.com
Phone: 250 616 9888