The British Columbia government has announced nearly $1 billion in funding for BC Hydro projects aimed at expanding the electrical grid and delivering clean energy across the Fraser Valley. The investment, part of the province’s 10-year capital plan for BC Hydro, will benefit communities including Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Hope, and Harrison Hot Springs.

Premier David Eby made the announcement at a BC Hydro power station in Chilliwack, emphasizing the need to address the region's growing population and rising demand for electrification. “We need to make sure that we’re responding to population growth, increased demands for electrification, and the remarkable opportunity that our clean electricity offers for our economy as a whole, here in British Columbia,” said Eby.

Approximately $75 million of the funding will expand the capacity of substations in the region. Key projects include:

• Atchelitz substation in Chilliwack: Powering up to 14,000 new homes by 2027.
• Clayburn substation in Abbotsford: Powering up to 17,500 additional homes by 2028.
• Mount Lehman substation in Abbotsford: Powering up to 35,000 more homes by 2029.

An additional $80 million will go towards dam safety improvements and equipment upgrades at the Wahleach, Stave Falls, and Ruskin generating stations. Another $25 million will be used to extend underground infrastructure in Mission, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack.

The announcement is part of a broader provincial effort, following similar initiatives in the North Shore, Sea to Sky, Surrey, and Langley regions, as BC Hydro projects that electricity demand will increase by 15% or more by 2030.

Source: B.C. government