Premier Announces New Actions To Build Electricity System, Create Jobs

It’s going to be a busy ten years for BC Hydro, in what the province is calling an unprecedented level of construction, building out British Columbia’s electricity system to power a growing clean economy and communities, and create new jobs.

“We must expand our electrical system like never before, to power industrial development, to power our homes and businesses, to power our future,” said Premier David Eby.

“Clean, affordable energy will help us meet that opportunity, while reducing pollution, securing good-paying jobs and creating new opportunities for our growing economy.”

This week, Premier Eby announced a $36-billion investment for community and regional infrastructure projects - a 50 percent increase over BC Hydro’s previous capital plan and includes a significant increase in electrification and emissions-reduction infrastructure projects.

The new projects are expected to support up to 12 thousand jobs on average annually.

The province says the plan reflects growing demand for electricity across sectors due to population growth and housing construction, increased industrial development, and people and businesses switching from fossil fuels to clean electricity, among other factors.

It includes building or expanding substations and installing new equipment to support residential housing growth and transit electrification in high-growth areas across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.