BCTC is seeking the necessary approvals to construct a new 12 km double circuit 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line to connect the existing 230 kV system to a new substation to be located to the south of Nanaimo. The existing 138 kV transmission lines in the area will also re-connect to the new substation. In anticipation of continued growth in the region, the CVI Project will also involve procuring a site for a second new substation that will be located at the existing 230 kV system (southwest of Barsby Lake), and additional right-of-way for a transmission line link (approximately two km.) between the tap point and the new substation location, to be built sometime in the future. BCTC believes that it has selected the most effective and energy-efficient solution to increase the capacity of the region’s transmission system.
The Proposed Routing Option - Harewood South
Input received at the Project open house in January, ongoing community feedback and continued discussions with First nations have resulted in modifications to the placement of the proposed transmission line as follows:
- An application has been submitted to the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) for a Licence of Occupation on a Crown parcel of land that will enable us to bypass the residential property on Nanaimo River Road; and
- the proposed transmission line will be further away from properties along South Forks Road. This will increase the tree buffer that separates these properties from the ROW boundary.
As well, to minimize visual impact, BCTC will also propose to construct the proposed transmission line using steel poles rather than lattice towers.
The proposed route alignment includes these changes and has been proposed in our application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to the BC Utilities Commission.
Since May 2007, feedback from local governments, First Nations, environmental groups and interested parties has helped BCTC define the proposed route alignment and substation location for the CVI Project.
Our intention with every new transmission line built is, subject to consideration of other relevant factors, to minimize the amount of land required for right-of-way and to minimize the visual impacts, regardless of whether the land is public or private. For the CVI Project, we considered:
- topography,
- visual impact,
- environment,
- existing land use,
- transmission system requirements and
- cost
In determining the proposed alignment for the proposed transmission line we endeavoured to balance local interests with our broader mandate of ensuring safe and reliable electricity to BC communities.
All studies and stakeholder input will be included in BCTC’s application to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project. Stakeholders, First Nations and other interested parties will have opportunities to provide their comments to the BCUC during the review of the application.
This route option is estimated at $92 million.
The Proposed Substation Sites
As part of the CVI Project, BCTC is proposing to build one new substation to be called Harewood West (HWW) at the existing 138 kV transmission lines that run south from Jingle Pot substation. A preferred site for this substation has been identified at the western edge of Harewood Plains.
BCTC is also acquiring land for a future substation to be called the Nanaimo River Substation (NRS). This future substation will be located at the existing 230 kV transmission lines, near Nanaimo River.
Other Routing Options Considered
Lantzville Substation
Components:
- a new 230 kV double-circuit transmission line in a 34-metre right-of-way
- a 230 kV tap station where the new line taps off from the existing 230 kV transmission lines
- expansion of the Lantzville substation
- upgrade of the existing 138 kV lines that run between Lantzville Substation and Jingle Pot Substation in Nanaimo
- $112 million capital cost
Rejected because:
- highest number of private residences impacted
- impact on 1,800 acre residential development underway near Lantzville Substation
- highest number of First Nations groups impacted
- longest route length
- medium to high environmental impact
- highest capital cost
This also required an upgrade to the conductor on 1L115/116, that runs between Lantzville Substation and Jingle Pot Substation, which would have a big impact on the community.
Jingle Pot Substation
Components:
- a new 230 kV double-circuit transmission line in a 34-metre wide right-of-way
- a 230 kV tap station where the new line taps off from the existing 230 kV transmission lines
- expansion of the Jingle Pot substation
- $101 million capital cost
Rejected because:
- highest environmental impact
- not enough space within the substation to expand
- big impact of Jingle Pot Substation expansion on adjacent private residences
- impact to views from Mount Benson
- impact on First Nations treaty lands
Harewood North
Components:
- a new 230 kV double-circuit transmission line in a 34-metre wide right-of-way
- a 230 kV tap station where the new line taps off from the existing 230 kV transmission lines
- a new 300 m x 300 m substation along the existing 138kV transmission line, south of Nanaimo
- $91.5 million capital cost
Rejected because:
- medium to high environmental impact
- impact on Crown/First Nations treaty negotiation lands
- high tree clearing requirements
- medium implementation risks
Harewood Central
Components:
- a new 230 kV double-circuit transmission line in a 34-metre wide right-of-way
- a 230 kV tap station where the new line taps off from the existing 230 kV transmission lines
- a new 300 m x 300 m substation along the existing 138 kV transmission line, south of Nanaimo
- $92 million capital cost
Rejected because:
- impact on Crown/First Nations treaty negotiation lands
- medium implementation risk
Other Substation Sites Considered
BCTC explored a number of other sites before deciding on the location for the proposed Harewood West substation.
Other substation sites were considered and deemed to be infeasible for the following reaons:
A
- station grounding difficult due to bedrock foundation
- potential impact to sensitive wildflower habitat (including red-listed, endangered species)
B
- required a new seven km transmission line connection that would impact many private properties
C
- City of Nanaimo No. 1 reservoir
- potential impact to groundwater
- not supported by the City of Nanaimo
D
- increased substation footprint
- major visual impact to adjacent residential properties
- not enough space - 60 foot cliff running in a north-south direction though the site