Fortis holds a 51% interest in the project, which is situated on the border between Canada and the US. Columbia Power and the Columbia Basin Trust own 32.5% and 16.5% stakes respectively.
The expansion includes a second powerhouse, downstream of the Waneta Dam on the Pend-d’Oreille River
A 10km, 230kV transmission line was built as part of the project, which delivers enough energy for around 60,000 households in Canada a year.
The expansion features two parallel tunnels feeding twin Francis turbines, each supplying 167.5MW.
It shares the existing hydraulic head and generates power from water that would otherwise be spilled. Output from the new powerhouse will be delivered to BC Hydro’s Selkirk substation.
Voith Hydro supplied the generators, governors, exciters and several additional auxiliary systems of the facility’s equipment. The company is a subcontractor to SNC Lavalin acting as the prime contractor on the project.
Voith Hydro CEO in Canada William Malus said: "We are proud to have contributed to one of the largest infrastructure projects of British Columbia and helped bringing it online.
"We contributed to making available reliable and affordable electricity from a renewable, climate friendly source."
Image: The Waneta Expansion project delivers enough energy for around 60,000 households in Canada a year. Photo: courtesy of Columbia Power Corp.
