BC Hydro awards $50 million upgrade contract for Mica
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: August 04, 2009 11:19 AM
BC Hydro has awarded a $50 million contract to upgrade ‘switchgear’ equipment at the Mica Generating Station.
Switchgear is essentially a system of circuit breakers and other equipment which serves to isolate or de-energize electrical equipment for a number of purposes such as performing repairs further down the transmission line.
The project will see two original lines that have been used since the project was completed in 1977 replaced, and will also see an additional third line installed.
The third line will serve two purposes. It will allow the generating station to remain operational while the originals two are replaced, and it will also provide capacity for the Mica 5 and Mica 6 generating units.
In the case of the Mica Generating Station, the switchgear is also used to conduct electricity from the generating units located about 180 metres underground to the above-ground transmission lines.
BC Hydro says the new switchgear will also improve safety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The contract was awarded to Mitsubishi Electrical Power Products Incorporated, and all of the labour for the Mica switchgear project will be completed by Columbia Hydro Constructors.
Planning and preparation is ongoing, and on-site work is expected to start in the fall of 2010 and be completed by 2013.
BC Hydro estimates the project will create between 30 and 40 full-time temporary jobs.
“BC Hydro is taking important steps to secure our province’s future electricity needs by re-investing in our generating facilities to extend their lifespan,” said Chris O’Riley, BC Hydro Senior Vice-President of Engineering, Aboriginal Relations and Generation. “Maintaining our heritage assets is a critical component in the overall strategy to ensure the province is electricity self-sufficient by 2016, and that clean and renewable electricity generation continues to account for 90 per cent of total generation.”
v2
