Over the last five years, FortisBC has invested significantly in electrical system upgrades and other improvements to increase system reliability, service, and safety. New and upgraded infrastructure will provide for customer growth and demand in the Okanagan, Boundary, and Kootenay areas. Check out some of the recent infrastructure enhancements that FortisBC has made by clicking on the map below.
Work on the electrical system may require interruptions to normal power delivery. New equipment and integration of substations and lines can result in occasional outages while the system is commissioned. FortisBC will do its best to ensure customers are informed of any planned power outages, and we will minimize outages where possible. To report an outage call 1-866-4FORTIS (1-866-436-7847).
Construction on the Big White Supply project began in November 2006 and was completed in late 2008. The project included the construction of a new substation at Big White Village and a transmission line, constructed along Highway 33 through prior upgrades. FortisBC also made additional improvements to the distribution lines at Big White Village.
This project increased capacity to meet Big White’s requirements for the next 20-30 years and also improved service in the Joe Rich, McCulloch and Idabel Lake areas.
FortisBC built a new substation and accompanying transmission and distribution lines in the north area of Kelowna. The project was complete in December 2009, in time to meet the winter energy peak. This substation will assist in meeting a growing demand for electricity in the North Glenmore and Ellison areas. These areas have a number of large subdivisions and other developments underway or due to expand, including UBC Okanagan campus, the Kelowna Airport, four major residential developments and one major commercial development.
In July 2007, the BCUC approved the project including the construction of a new distribution substation near the corner of Lochrem Road and Highway 97 and a transmission line between the new substation and the existing Duck Lake substation.
The Black Mountain substation and associated power lines were completed in 2008. The new substation is located on the north side of Highway 33 near Joe Rich Road and will service the fast-growing areas of north east Kelowna over the next 20 years including new developments on Bell Mountain and Kirschner Mountain.
FortisBC is building a new distribution source substation in the south central Kelowna area, along with the necessary transmission and distribution power lines to tie the substation into the existing transmission and distribution network. This project is required to meet growing customer demand in central Kelowna and to increase reliability.
The project was approved by the BC Utilities Commission in January 2009. Construction is expected to start in late 2009 and be complete in 2010.
In 2005 FortisBC energized the Vaseux terminal to improve the power supply in the south Okanagan. The Okanagan Transmission Reinforcement Project (OTR) is the second phase of this project and received British Columbia Utilities Commission approval in October 2008. Transmission lines will be upgraded from the Vaseux Substation to Penticton and from Vaseux to Oliver. This project will also involve the construction of a new substation east of Oliver and upgrades to two other existing substations in the South Okanagan.
The OTR project will start during the summer of 2009, with completion in 2011 and will address both capacity and reliability needs in South and North Okanagan regions.
In 2008, FortisBC completed a new distribution source substation on the east side of the Columbia River in Ootischenia, including the necessary transmission and distribution lines to tie the substation into the existing transmission and distribution network. This project increases reliability and capacity in the Castlegar, Ootischenia and Blueberry areas. The substation also provides backup capability for the Castlegar and Blueberry substations.
The project was approved by the British Columbia Utilities Commission in 2007.
Construction on the Kettle Valley Distribution and Source Project started in April 2007 and was completed in early 2008. The project included the construction of a new substation in Kettle Valley, upgrades to the electrical system and installation of a high speed communication system. The project, located on Highway 3B, improved system reliability in the Boundary area and will meet capacity requirements, as well as growth in customer numbers and electricity demand. The project was approved by the BC Utilities Commission in 2006.
FortisBC completed the new Arawana substation at the corner of Arawana and Lower Debeck Roads in November 2009 to supply the growing community of Naramata. The substation includes a fence which was designed with input from community volunteers and which screens the substation equipment from view at road level. The BC Utilities Commission approved the project in 2007.
If you have a larger house and aren't using one or more rooms, be sure to lower the heat to those rooms by closing the vents or turning down the heaters. Check your basement and attic to ensure you're not heating areas that aren't occupied.
