The Site C hydroelectric project has made significant progress with the successful launch of its third generating unit. This brings the total number of operational units to three out of six, marking a major step toward the completion of the project and further boosting British Columbia’s energy supply.
"With the third generating unit in operation, the Site C project is now delivering more clean energy to B.C. homes, communities, businesses, and industries," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, in a press release issued Monday, Feb. 24.
"I had the privilege of touring Site C recently, and witnessing the scale and complexity of this remarkable project firsthand," Dix said. "It was an opportunity to personally thank the skilled workers for their hard work and dedication as they continue to advance this project toward its completion later this year."
The Site C project began generating power with the first unit in October and added the second in December.
Each unit provides more than 180 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 80,000 homes.
Testing and commissioning are now under way for the fourth generating unit, and BC Hydro reports it is on track to have all six units operational by fall.
Once fully operational, Site C will generate enough clean electricity to power nearly 500,000 homes, increasing BC Hydro’s electricity supply by eight per cent.
Construction on the project began in July 2015, and Site C is now more than 90 per cent complete, BC Hydro states.
