A B.C. energy firm and GE Energy Financial Services have partnered to build the most expensive run-of-river hydroelectric development in Canada -- a big piece of the so-called 'green power corridor' on the Sunshine Coast.
Plutonic Power and GE submitted a bid to BC Hydro's 2008 call for clean energy for two projects near Desolation Sound, in the Bute and Toba Inlets, at a total cost of more than US $4 billion.
The Bute Inlet project would also be the largest run-of-river development in the province if it proceeds. It would include powerhouses on 18 rivers and creeks in the inlet headwaters with a potential generation capacity of 914 MW. By comparison, the proposed Site C dam has a potential generating capacity of 900 MW.
This project is one piece of Plutonic's green power corridor, a suite of run of river projects that will include projects on 39 creeks and rivers that drain into the Toba, Bute and Knight Inlets.
Construction is already underway on the flagship project in the Toba Inlet. The East Toba and Montrose Creek project (also financed by GE) was approved in BC Hydro's 2006 call for clean power and includes a 145-kilometer transmission line from Toba Inlet to a Saltery Bay substation.
The other projects included in the corridor plans -- on Knight Inlet, Freda Creek and Europa Creek -- are currently under investigation, said Plutonic's corporate communications director Elisha Moreno.
In an email, GE Energy Financial's managing director for Canada said the company is very interested in continuing to invest in B.C.
"We are hopeful that by teaming up with Plutonic Power for additional run of river projects…GE Energy Financial Services will continue to grow our renewable energy investment portfolio in British Columbia," wrote Mark Tonner.
Gisele Uzzell, who lives in the Bear River Valley and operates a hunting and fishing lodge, said despite their size, the projects have had a low profile among the few people who live in the area.
"I don't notice a whole lot of people in Campbell River talking about it," she said. "I'm worried about the effect it's going to have on the wildlife."
Paul Rudan, a senior report for the Campbell River Mirror, said he's been covering the story for a while.
"In terms of public reaction, I would say probably the un-vocal majority are pretty supportive of the alternative energy plans," he said.
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quarry bay
3 years ago
They are not investing in BC
They are investing in themselves with our rivers.
Who are they going to sell that much power to?
They are talking about damning 39 rivers and creeks,river diversions.
Campbell will never get a vote on the sunshine coast!
If Campbell doesn`t get voted out we are a doomed province!
Even if you people want run of river(dams)BC Hydro should be building them!
These companies aren`t doing it for the good of BCers,they are doing it for massive profits,BCers will get nothing for it,NOTHING !
mcdull
3 years ago
Its all ok we have the
Its all ok we have the banana republic of Canada and the we'll sell your soul to keep in power Province. Its all in the open meetings the Lieberals are touting to keep BC strong. Hopefully all paid for by the lieberals even though they sound like government booster ads.
ME2
3 years ago
So sad
It's the feeling of powerlessness (no pun intended) one gets, that is so destructive of one's belief in "Democracy".
Van Isle
3 years ago
I use to work in Ocean Falls
I use to work in Ocean Falls and they have a dam that has been there since the 1920's. It produces power for Ocean Falls, Shearwater, and Bella Bella and the alternators are only running at about 12% capacity. I asked the question to one of the electricians who worked at the dam of why they don't have a transmission line to Bella Coola and points beyond to feed into the Provincal power grid. The answer was that the transmission line would be far to expensive to build and maintain; it would never pay for itself. Now this project out of Toba and Knights Inlets must cost a real bomb just for the transmission lines alone.