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BC Hydro completes substation expansion

$47 million project wraps up on George Tripp substation in Saanich which serves 26,000 customers

BC Hydro has wrapped up work on its $47 million expansion of the George Tripp substation in Saanich.

“The demand for electricity in Victoria will increase by about two per cent per year over the next 10 years and this important investment at George Tripp will help us meet that demand,” said Energy Minister Bill Bennett.

Construction on the George Tripp project began in 2013. Work included adding a new step-up transformer and switchgear breaker equipment, and installing a new 230-kilovolt underground transmission cable that connects to nearby Horsey substation.

“Between the upgrades at George Tripp substation and the ones nearing completion at Horsey substation, this represents a $95 million investment to upgrade Victoria’s two major substations,” said Greg Reimer, BC Hydro executive vice-president. “Most of our infrastructure in the area was built decades ago and is in need of reinvestment so that we can continue providing reliable power to our customers when they need it.”

About 75 jobs were created over two-and-a-half years of construction between the George Tripp and Horsey projects.

“Stable and reliable electrical supply is an essential component of our economy that we often take for granted,” said Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Carter.

“This improvement at George Tripp and the array of related projects are critical building blocks for our modern community and our modern economy.”

The George Tripp substation was originally built in the 1950s and serves 26,000 customers.

BC Hydro is in the midst of a major capital plan that is investing, on average, $2.4 billion a year, over the next 10 years in the system.