Infrastructure investment to bolster energy capacity in Vernon, Southern Interior

Power production and capacity capabilities in Vernon and the Southern Interior are getting a boost.

The B.C. Government will invest a total of $5.8 billion in capital spending for energy infrastructure improvements and upgrades across the Interior.

The overall announcement of the provincial investment was made by Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Initiatives, at the Vernon substation Monday, July 29.

During that announcement, Maureen Daschuk, executive vice-president of integrated planning at B.C. Hydro, stated some of those funds will be spent on a local project.

“Within the overall plan we have money invested, $50 million to expand the distribution system [in Vernon], and that is going to add 15,000 new homes,” Daschuk said.

“We’re also working to increase the reliability of the system by replacing assets as they reach their end of life.”

Victor Cumming, mayor of Vernon, said the investment will support the city’s Climate Action Plan.

“We’ve made this commitment, we’ve worked very hard at reducing our [greenhouse gas emissions] in our buildings and by making much efficient systems and going electric wherever we can,” Cumming said, noting all future city buildings, including the Active Living Centre, will be net-zero ready.

The mayor also noted Vernon’s population is expected to grown by approximately 1,000 people a year over the next decade, and that comes with high electricity demand that could be met through the investment.

The investment was also believed to have some economic spinoff for Vernon and the region.

“B.C. Hydro’s investment into capital projects across B.C.’s southern Interior over the next decade demonstrates their recognition of the unique needs and potential of communities like ours,” Kirndeep Nahal, president of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, noted Monday.

“As one of the fastest growing city’s in British Columbia, we believe that this investment will not only ensure the reliability and efficiency of our power supply, but also support our continued growth and prosperity. For members of the Chamber, this is especially significant: the development of modern, efficient infrastructure is a critical driver of economic activity. With these capital projects, we are optimistic for growth and job opportunities, which will have the effect of strengthening our local economy and providing new avenues for our businesses to thrive.”

Other investments through the funding include dam safety, equipment, safety improvements, transmission upgrades, substation improvements, and upgrades to wildfire protection and telecommunication systems.

“These are projects that will power thousands of homes as they come into service over the years ahead,” Osborne said, adding one of the other local projects will be an upgrade to the West Kelowna Transmission and Westbank Substation.

“Adding capacity at the Westbank substation will serve up to 26,000 new homes [from West Kelowna to Peachland].”

Osborne also noted almost half of the province’s power generating capacity comes from the Columbia region, and stated that investments for improvements and upgrades to the damn infrastructure along the Columbia River would “reinforce and increase the capacity of the integrated electricity system,” noting this would benefit people and businesses across B.C.

Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee, noted these investments will not only improve capacity, but will support communities and businesses as the Interior’s population grows.

The energy minister noted these and the other projects supported through the investments create 10,500 to 12,500 new jobs for skilled workers over the next year.