Site C dam
| Site C | |
|---|---|
_location_map.svg.png)  | |
| Official name | Site C Clean Energy Project |
| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 56°11′42″N 120°54′51″W / 56.19500°N 120.91417°WCoordinates: 56°11′42″N 120°54′51″W / 56.19500°N 120.91417°W |
| Opening date | 2024 (planned) |
| Construction cost | C$8.335 billion (est.) |
| Owner(s) | BC Hydro |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earth fill[1] |
| Impounds | Peace River |
| Height | 60m[1] |
| Length | 1,100m[1] |
| Reservoir | |
| Surface area | 9,330 ha[1] |
| Power station | |
| Annual generation | 5,100 GWh[1] |
The Site C dam (or "Site C Clean Energy Project") is a planned project by the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) for a large-scale earth fill hydroelectric dam on the Peace River in north-eastern British Columbia, Canada.[1] A cost estimate produced during the 2007 feasibility study placed the financial cost at a maximum of C$6.6 billion based on the 1981 design, safety, and engineering standards.[2][3] An updated cost projection was released in May 2011 placing the estimated cost at $7.9 billion.[4] Designs call for an estimated capacity of approximately 1,100 MW and an annual output of 5,100 GWh of electricity.[5]
If built, it would be the third of four major dams on the Peace River that were initially proposed in the mid-twentieth century. The first project is the flagship W. A. C. Bennett Dam 19 kilometres west of Hudson's Hope. That facility was completed in 1967 and began operation in 1968. Construction of the Peace Canyon Dam was completed in 1980 at a point 23 km downstream of the W. A. C. Bennett dam. The third dam – "Site C" – was also proposed at the time for a site 83 km downriver of the Peace Canyon dam, or approximately 7 km southwest of Fort St. John. The initial proposal was never completed, however it was turned down after BC Utilities Commission hearings in 1983. It has since come under review as BC Hydro reconsiders expansion of its dam capacity on the Peace.[5] The fourth proposed dam on the BC segment of the Peace River, Site E, near the BC/Alberta border was taken off the planning process during the 1982 hearing.
In April 2010, the provincial government announced plans to advance planning for the facility, moving it to the regulatory review phase.[5] In October 2014, Site C received environmental assessment approvals from the federal and provincial governments after a three-year environmental review, including a Joint Review Panel process. In December 2014, the provincial government announced a final investment decision, approving the construction of the hydroelectric project at a cost of $8.335 billion, as well as a project reserve of $440 million.
The proposal is controversial[6] as the reservoir would require the flooding of approximately 5,550 hectares of land[1] and over 100 km of river valley along the Peace River and its tributaries. This would include over 3,000 hectares of wildlife habitats, heritage sites, and "Class One" and "Class Two" agricultural land. Members of the Treaty 8 First Nations boycotted the official announcement ceremony at the Bennett Dam in April 2010,[6] while the West Moberly First Nations has publicly stated that it is considering legal action to oppose the dam.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Backgrounder: About Site C". BC Hydro. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ↑ "Tab for Site C dam could hit $6.6 billion". Vancouver Sun. 5 December 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". Site C Clean Energy Project. BC Hydro. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ↑ Garstin, Michaela (26 May 2011). "Total projected cost of Site C dam to be $7.9 billion". Northeast News (Fort St. John, British Columbia). Retrieved 11 August 2011.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Province announces Site C Clean Energy Project". BC Hydro. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Burrows, Matthew (22 April 2010). "Natives plan to fight Site C dam planned for Peace River". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
External links
- Site C Clean Energy Project at BC Hydro's web site
- Site C Clean Energy - Environmental Impact Statement
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