BC Hydro has backed away from a major upgrade of a key transmission line.
More than 30 per cent of the electricity produced in B.C. is generated in the Peace Region and is transported via three 500-kilovolt powerlines running 600 kilometres from Hudson's Hope to the Kelly Lake substation just south of Clinton.
Through the so-called Peace to Kelly Lake Capacitors Project, Hydro had considered building additional capacitor stations along the route to help maintain the voltage. But in November, the project was canceled, Hydro spokeswoman Susie Rieder confirmed Monday.
"Through our evaluation we determined our existing transmission system can meet our customers' load longer than we had anticipated, and therefore the decision was made to cancel the project," Rieder said.
Cost of the work had been estimated at $100 million.
"This decision is in the best interest of our customers and will avoid unnecessary costs by ensuring work will only be done when required," Rieder said.
Work to address aging equipment at the Kennedy and McLeese capacitor stations, near Mackenzie and just north of Williams Lake respectively, and at Williston substation that was a part of the original scope of the project, is continuing as a separate project.
