Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff
Site C business plans have to be made now, despite the environmental assessments far from complete for the
proposed dam.
If everything goes according to best estimates, BC Hydro and its partners are still about 10 years away from turning on the power switch.
However, that decade will be filled with economic activity - close to $8 billion of it - and local companies hoping to take part can find out about the opportunities at a business orientation meeting on Nov. 22.
About 60 businesses have already
registered to be in that audience.
"We are trying to be out early to engage the business community," said Dave Conway, community relations manager for the Site C energy project.
"We want contractors and suppliers to be well prepared. It could be as early as next year we might need some
pre-qualification bids."
The proposed dam has been on the Peace River hydroelectric system blueprints for decades, the third of three planned power generation sites in the area. The first two (WAC Bennett Dam and Peace Canyon Dam) have already been built.
BC Hydro calculated a need for the dam based on electricity consumption patterns, anticipated industrial usage, and the inability of other power generation styles (solar, tidal, wind, etc.) to cost-effectively fill the provincial energy order.
In order for the dam to be built, it must first pass through a lengthy environmental assessment process estimated to be about three years long. They are about halfway through, presently.
In order to keep the ultimate costs down, and keep as many business deals as possible close to home, they have to proceed with the procurement process just the same. And even during the environmental assessment period, some groundwork will be done, opening up business opportunities in the short term.
"Local, regional, provincial contracts is what we want to see," said Conway.
"There will be many opportunities for small, medium and large companies but they have to know what to expect of us. People need to make their preparations, perhaps get certain certifications, or hire up, or bring in inventory or develop partnerships necessary to take part in this list of opportunities."
The list is long, running from huge contracts to move millions of kilograms of dirt or pour millions of litres of concrete, to first aid services and truck washing.
The Site C section of BC Hydro's website gives details, and more will be revealed at the orientation meeting.
"If people think they have a service or a product to provide, at all, then we encourage you to attend," said Conway.
"We ask you to pre-register so we can properly set up the room, but there is no charge and we won't turn anyone away. Find out if this is for you."
The same orientation meeting is being held in communities across the north. The first four went ahead this week and they carry on throughout November.
More detailed meetings to hone in on specific contracts as they come up will be held in the months and years ahead.
To attend the Nov. 22 session (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Ramada Hotel - held in partnership with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, Initiatives Prince George and the Northern Development Initiative Trust - find the Prince George registration link in the Site C section of BC Hydro's website.
Companies are also advised of two business directories available, said Conway. One is a general directory and one is specifically for aboriginal businesses.
These databases will "provide interested businesses with information about possible opportunities with the proposed Site C Clean Energy project. Companies who sign up for the directory will receive updates, via email, on potential business opportunities as they arise."
The aboriginal one is helpful not only for BC Hydro, but also the interested companies who may wish to have
aboriginal partners at the subcontracting level.
"We have over 400 Aboriginal businesses already identified within the directory," said Conway. "Both these directories are not new, and they continue to build."
They can be joined by filling out an online form at the Site C section of BC Hydro's website.
