Failure to secure a power purchase agreement in its current form has put the Waneta Expansion Project on hold.

Audrey Repin, Columbia Power Corporation director of communications is optimistic, however, that with project restructuring it's only a matter of time before the project goes ahead.

"I wouldn't say it's a roadblock. I see it as an opportunity," said Repin.

"We just need to make it viable so it's an economically feasible project. That's why we're looking to bring other partners into the project and that could make the project viable," said Repin of the CPC, Columbia Basin Trust project.

Despite the stall in the project, Repin believes there is one fact that will see the project through to the end.

"Clean power is needed. We have a lot in place. We're not starting from the ground here," said Repin.

In fact, the project is so close to start up that CBT and CPC said they have a preferred proponent bid in place for the construction.

"We are working with SNC-Lavalin and having active discussion with the proponent to see how it could work. They're interested and have invested in this project as well," Repin said.

The project was to have begun this fall and at its peak would have employed up to 450 people.

Repin said the economic injection to the community from the project could be as much as $178 million.

But it could bring more, added Repin.

Repin wants the community to keep believing in the project, saying that CBT and CPC have the community's interest at heart.

"We want people to reflect on the last 14 years and how we've worked on these projects. We look at this as an opportunity and we're hopeful it will go forward. We just need to meet the pricing targets and make it an economically feasible project."

The Waneta Expansion project is a proposed second powerhouse located adjacent to Teck Cominco's existing Waneta Dam on the Pend d'Oreille River south of Trail. The province acquired expansion rights to the Waneta Dam in 1994 from Teck Cominco. The rights were transferred to Columbia Power Corporation in 1995 and are now held by Waneta Expansion Power Corporation.

Columbia Power Corporation is a crown corporation wholly owned and controlled by the province. Pursuant to the Columbia Basin Accord signed in 1995, the primary mandate of CPC is to undertake clean and renewable power project investments as the agent of the province on a joint venture basis with the Columbia Basin Trust.

Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust, through corporate subsidiaries, own the Arrow Lakes Generating Station, the Brilliant Dam and the Brilliant Expansion.