As the start of construction looms, a final virtual open house offers residents a peek at the plan to replace a BC Hydro transmission cable that spans Victoria and Esquimalt – including a water crossing.
During an August 2023 cable repair beside the Gorge Waterway, the utilities company discovered widespread corrosion with the transmission cables that connect Victoria and Esquimalt.
Replacement of the 230-kilovolt, underground, mineral oil-filled transmission line is anticipated to closely follow the existing route – the route is about 2.7 kilometres long and runs between the Horsey Substation off Topaz Avenue and the Esquimalt Substation off Dominion Street, and includes a submarine crossing along the bottom of the Gorge Waterway.
The new cable is expected to maintain transmission system reliability with a higher electricity capacity and improved seismic resiliency. It will also be oil-free, making it better for the environment, BC Hydro said.
Route options and construction methods under scrutiny include the portion under the Gorge Waterway.
The project outline shows construction set to start this year, targeting 2026 completion.
A final virtual open house is scheduled for Jan. 30 from noon to 1 p.m. for the community to learn more about route, schedule, and environmental and social considerations. The deadline to register is 10 a.m. Jan. 29.
Visit bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/victoria-esquimalt-cable for project updates and information.
