Operations update: First generating unit comes into service on Site C
Categories: BC, Hydroelectricity
FORT ST. JOHN: The first of six generating units on the Site C project has come into operation, following the required testing and commissioning process.
The remaining generating units will come into operation one-by-one. Each generating unit can provide more than 180 megawatts of power to BC Hydro customers. The Site C project remains on track to have all six generating units in service by fall 2025.
Once complete, Site C will provide about 1,100 megawatts of capacity and produce about 5,100 gigawatt hours of electricity each year, adding about eight per cent more supply to British Columbia’s electricity grid.
Reservoir filling on the Site C project continues safely as planned. The reservoir is more than 90 per cent full and the water at the dam has risen by about 40 metres since filling began in late August. The reservoir level at the dam site has reached the necessary elevation to begin operating the generating units.
Reservoir filling remains on-schedule to be completed later this fall. The testing and commissioning work on the second generating unit is also underway.
BC Hydro continues to strongly urge the public to stay out of the reservoir area during filling and for at least one year after filling is complete. This is due to potential hazards on the reservoir, such as the surrounding land continuing to stabilize and floating vegetation debris.
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• B-roll
• Image gallery
• Reservoir filling
• Reservoir safety
