A new substation in Buckley Bay will enable BC Hydro to meet electricity demands in communities south of Courtenay, including Denman and Hornby islands.
A $28.3 million investment, the station will provide up to five new circuits to better serve the area which continues to grow with planned developments, BC Hydro communications officer Stephen Watson said Tuesday at regional district committee of the whole.
Electricity delivery to the area is at capacity, he explained.
The substation will improve reliability because the circuits will be closer to the recipients. It will also
enable Hydro crews to switch the direction of electricity flow between the Puntledge and Buckley Bay substations during power outages.
Area A director Bruce Jolliffe appreciates BC Hydro’s careful selection of property next to the transmission line corridor about three kilometres from Buckley Bay.
Site preparation has begun on the substation, with construction planned for around January. It is expected to be in-service by fall 2013.
