The Province is taking action to accelerate the expansion of our electricity grid by enabling the BC Energy Regulator to act as a one-window regulator for permits to support the North Coast Transmission Line and other projects.
“We urgently need to expand our electricity system in the North to meet the needs of growing industries that want to use clean energy to sustain and expand their operations, creating jobs and economic benefits for First Nations and communities,” said Premier David Eby.
“The BC Energy Regulator is an experienced organization that has demonstrated expertise at getting projects moving quickly, while providing robust regulatory oversight through the life cycle of projects.”
The Province will make legislative amendments this spring to enable the Energy Regulator to adjudicate permits and authorizations associated with the construction of projects like the North Coast Transmission Line.
“If the NCTL is not built, and built quickly, major critical minerals, future port expansions, and LNG, hydrogen and other important resource projects may not proceed,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions.
“We need to move this vital project forward to realize B.C.’s resource-development potential and create jobs and investment opportunities, while achieving provincial climate targets.”
According to the provincial government, the north coast is seeing significant growth and prospective investment in many areas, including ports, critical-mineral exploration and mining, and LNG and hydrogen initiatives, all driving demand for clean electricity.
The area is currently served by one 500-kilovolt transmission line running from Prince George to Terrace, which does not have the capacity to withstand the spike in demand
The project will construct a new transmission line running about 450 kilometres between Prince George and Terrace.
“Permitting and regulating the North Coast Transmission Line aligns with the British Columbia Energy Regulator’s recently expanded mandate and our mission to support the transition to low-carbon energy. The BCER has a long history of providing effective single-window regulatory oversight for the life cycle of B.C.’s oil, gas and other energy resources, and our regulatory expertise will lend itself to this work as we take on these new responsibilities.” said Michelle Carr, chief executive officer, BC Energy Regulator.
It will be comprised of two new transmission line segments and associated towers, as well as upgrades to existing substation and capacitor station infrastructure.
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