General Infrastructure Discussion

[jollyburger]

B.C. says AI and data centre projects must compete for power in new selection process

British Columbia's government is launching a competitive selection process for artificial intelligence and data centre projects that would see companies fight over a set amount of power.

B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said companies that apply could gain access to a total of 400 megawatts of electricity over a two-year period.

"The new approach (prioritizes projects) that support long-term economic, environmental, community and data sovereignty benefits," Dix told a news conference Friday.

He added the requirement does not apply to traditional industries like liquefied natural gas, forestry or mining.

The selection process will allow the government to manage high demand for electricity by limiting the power certain industries can access, he said.

Dix said the announcement is in response to climbing electricity rates in certain U.S. states, which some experts attribute to the power demand from new and planned data centres.

A competitive process awarding companies that offer the most economic and environmental benefits is the right path forward, Dix said.

"That shows that we've learned from other jurisdictions that have had an extremely negative economic effect," he said.

https://www.biv.com/news/resources-agric...-power-in-new-selection-process-11815923

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

https://www.biv.com/news/resources-agric...-power-in-new-selection-process-11815923

This seems like an eminently sensible policy, IMHO.

[jollyburger]

West End Substation Replacement



Around 100 foot excavation (1515 Alberni was ~120 feet)

There are hatches above the transformers allowing for mobile cranes in the future to come in and replace them.

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/1136-nelson-st

[jollyburger]

The Parkland refinery is in the middle of a maintenance turnaround that should complete at the end of March

https://www.burnabyrefinery.ca/safety-environment-reliability/maintenance/

[Feathered Friend]

What's new
May 2026
From May 19 to June 9, we’re sharing information about construction plans for the West End Substation project, including the timeline and methods, and what people might see and hear through construction.

Ways to get involved
Read about our construction plans in our consultation materials
https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHy...nstruction-consultation-guide-202605.pdf

Attend an open house: view the schedule in our notification postcard
https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHy...ard-construction-consultation-202605.pdf

Take our survey to share your feedback by June 9.
https://bchydro.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9oWNEXAwt7Dlh0W

https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/west-end-substation.html

[madog222]

New presentation on the new East Vancouver substation. Site demo this winter with construction to start next summer.

https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHy...-session-presentation-boards-2026jun.pdf

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by madog222

New presentation on the new East Vancouver substation. Site demo this winter with construction to start next summer.

https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHy...-session-presentation-boards-2026jun.pdf

It's interesting that they don't appear to have submitted a Development Application for the new building (yet). Presumably the City have been involved, and it's going to be more of a formality, but BC Hydro did get a DP for the Mount Pleasant substation when that was built a few years ago.

[jollyburger]

The West End Substation was just a development review. The application went in Sept 24, 2025 and consultation concluded around April this year so I think they have plenty of time to go through the same process?

https://plposweb.vancouver.ca/Public/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=Guest&PosseObjectId=276348472

https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/1136-nelson-st

I don't think there's a BCUC process either

BC Hydro also states in the Application that it plans to construct a new substation located in the Strathcona
neighbourhood of the City of Vancouver (East Vancouver Substation) to replace Murrin Substation. BC Hydro
states that the East Vancouver Substation is exempt from the requirement to have a CPCN pursuant to the
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority Exemption Regulation and therefore BC Hydro will be relying on its
deemed CPCN for extensions under section 45 of the Utilities Commission Act for the construction and operation
of the East Vancouver Substation.2 Given these circumstances, the Panel considers it appropriate to direct that
the construction and operation of the East Vancouver Substation is outside of the scope of this proceeding.

https://www.ordersdecisions.bcuc.com/bcuc/orders/en/523045/1/document.do

They have construction tenders on the project that are just closing now.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

The West End Substation was just a development review. The application went in Sept 24, 2025 and consultation concluded around April this year so I think they have plenty of time to go through the same process?

I guess there's a difference with the West End Substation being totally underground, and the replacement school that will be developed above it getting a DP. The East End substation is almost all above grade. But I think as a provincial agency BC Hydro can just build it, if they choose to do so.