The 66-year-old facility has a 126MW capacity and will be replaced with a new 135MW plant to address the significant reliability, seismic and environmental issues associated with the station.
Once completed, power supply from John Hart power will increase to 835GWh, up 7% from the current 778GWh and will be enough to power 80,000 homes in the region.
The project, proposed by hydroelectric facilities operator BC Hydro, will require an investment of $940m with the company yet to determine the contractor to execute it.
Energy, mines and natural gas minister of Rich Coleman remarked that the Commission recognized the significance of upgrading an aging facility that has been operating since 1947.
"Now we can ensure the facility will continue to deliver clean, reliable power to Vancouver Island and create 400 jobs a year over five years," Coleman said.
