The projects involve installing two 500MW turbines into existing bays at the Mica generating station, located at the Mica Dam on the Columbia River, approximately 135km north of Revelstoke.
The Mica unit 5 project also includes a new capacitor station near Seymour Arm along the existing transmission lines from Mica generating station to the Nicola substation.
The Mica generating station, which was commissioned in 1977, was designed and fully licensed to accommodate six units, but construction of the fifth and sixth units was deferred until additional capacity was required.
Four turbines currently operate with a generating capacity of 1,805MW. With the installation of the fifth and sixth units, the generating capacity will increase to 2,805MW.
The additional generating capacity, expected to be in-service by 2014 for Mica unit 5 and 2015 for Mica unit 6, is expected to assist BC Hydro in meeting peak demand for electricity in British Columbia.
Before the projects proceed, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority will still need to obtain the necessary provincial licenses, leases and other approvals. The capital cost of the projects is estimated to be between $900m and $1.3bn.
