The Government of Canada and BC Hydro have announced funding for the Peace Region Electricity Supply (PRES) project which aims to bring clean electricity to Canadian businesses.
Image: The Peace Region Electricity Supply (PRES) project aims to bring clean electricity to Canadian businesses. Photo: Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay.
Intended to ensure reliably electricity supply, the project will receive up to $83.6m in funding from the government through Investing in Canada Plan as well as $205.4m from BC Hydro.
The Canada’s Investing in Canada Plan aims to invest more than $180bn in community infrastructure across the country over 12-year period.
Of the total funding, $26.9bn is allocated to support green infrastructure projects, including $5bn available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Canadian Minister of Natural Resource Amarjeet Sohi said: “Transitioning to cleaner electricity is essential to protecting the environment, creating more sustainable communities and building a clean future for our kids and grandkids.
“This important project will encourage Canadian businesses to transition to renewable energy, boosting the economic growth in the Peace Region and promoting a greener way of life for all British Columbians.”
The PRES project involves construction of two parallel 230kV power lines between the future Site C Substation which is under construction near Fort St John and the existing Groundbirch Substation, located about 30km east of Chetwynd.
British Columbia Premier John Horgan said: “Working with our federal partners, we are delivering the clean energy communities, businesses and industry need, while meeting our CleanBC goals. This investment helps B.C. build a low-carbon economy that includes all sectors and provides more opportunities for people.”
Planned to be completed in late 2021, the PRES project will provide industries and businesses in the Peace Region with access to a cleaner supply of energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2.6 megatons per year.
BC Hydro president and chief operating officer Chris O’Riley said: “We know the gas industry is a primary driver for electricity demand in the South Peace Region. The PRES project will ensure we can reliably provide electricity to our industrial customers who want to power their facilities with clean energy – significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”