Executive Summary (Phase 2)

B.C. Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line is a proposed high-voltage transmission expansion in northwest British Columbia that has been referred to Canada’s Major Projects Office for consideration. Phase 2 is the central build segment that increases transfer capacity into the Terrace area by constructing new 500 kV infrastructure between the Glenannan, Telkwa, and Skeena (Terrace) substations. This phase is intended to improve reliability, support community electrification, and enable clean-power supply for major industrial growth on the North Coast, while also strengthening regional telecommunications capacity through fibre additions.

Proponent, sector, and location

• Proponent: B.C. Hydro
• Sector: Electricity transmission
• Location: Northwest British Columbia
• Status: Referred to the Major Projects Office for consideration

Context and need

Northwest B.C. is supplied by a long-distance transmission corridor from the Prince George area to the Terrace area. Provincial and proponent materials describe rising demand for clean electricity in the region, alongside the need to expand capacity to support future load growth, including community needs and new industrial developments. Phase 2 is positioned as a core reinforcement of the transmission backbone to help meet this growth.

Phase 2 scope and deliverables

Core infrastructure

• New 500 kV transmission lines totalling approximately 275 kilometres, delivered as two segments:
  • Approximately 130 km from Glenannan Substation to Telkwa Substation
  • Approximately 145 km from Telkwa Substation to Skeena Substation near Terrace

Supporting works

• Substation upgrades at Glenannan and Telkwa
• Expansion at Skeena Substation (Terrace area)
• Expansion of capacitor station capacity (including works referenced for Palling and Walcott)
• Installation of fibre optic cable on new or existing transmission infrastructure to improve system monitoring, operational communications, and regional connectivity

Routing approach
Phase 2 routing is being developed within a corridor and is generally intended to parallel existing infrastructure where practical, while assessing alternatives where twinning is not feasible.

Stakeholders and engagement approach

Key stakeholder groups

• Indigenous Nations and rights holders in potentially affected areas
• Municipalities, regional districts, and local communities
• Industrial customers and prospective interconnection applicants
• Provincial and federal regulators and review bodies

Engagement principles
Phase 2 requires sustained engagement with Indigenous Nations and local communities to support route refinement, environmental review inputs, access planning, and construction coordination. The project documentation also notes the broader emphasis on opportunities for Indigenous participation and collaboration.

Anticipated outcomes and benefits

Phase 2 is a central enabler of the broader NCTL objectives, which are framed around three primary outcomes:

1. Clean growth and electrification capacity
   1. Increased transfer capability to support clean electricity supply for communities and prospective industrial loads across the North Coast corridor.
2. Reliability and resilience
   1. A strengthened backbone that reduces operational constraints and supports more resilient service to communities in northwest B.C.
3. Connectivity co-benefits
   1. Improved telecommunications capacity through fibre additions, which can help bolster communications for remote communities and grid operations.

At the whole-project level, provincial and federal summaries associate NCTL with significant economic activity and emissions reduction potential once fully operational, including the avoidance of approximately 2 to 3 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Schedule and delivery pathway (Phase 2)

Published Phase 2 materials outline a multi-year delivery pathway, including:

• Studies and route and site selection activities through the mid-2020s
• Design development, approvals, and property rights acquisition
• Construction start targeted in 2026 (including early works such as clearing and access)
• Target in-service date in the early 2030s (noted as mid-2032 in the Phase 2 schedule materials)

Implementation considerations and risk management

Key considerations

• Routing and siting complexity, including terrain, access, and environmental constraints
• Permitting and regulatory approvals sequencing
• Workforce accommodation and construction logistics in remote areas
• Stakeholder and rights-holder engagement timelines and incorporation of feedback

Mitigation approach

• Early field studies and corridor-based option analysis
• Phased approvals and design progression to reduce schedule risk
• Construction planning that accounts for access, seasonal constraints, and local capacity
• Structured engagement to integrate community priorities and minimise impacts

What success looks like for Phase 2

• Phase 2 was delivered on schedule with a clearly defined corridor and route, supported by meaningful rights-holder and community engagement
• Commissioned 500 kV segments and upgraded substations that materially increase transfer capability to the Terrace area
• Fibre and system upgrades in place to strengthen operational visibility and regional connectivity
• Readiness for subsequent NCTL phases and northward corridor benefits, including potential alignment with broader interconnection concepts such as Yukon to B.C. Grid Connect

Sources with direct links:

• Government of Canada, Major Projects Office, Projects referred to the MPO (includes NCTL entry)
  https://www.canada.ca/en/privy-council/major-projects-office/projects/national.html
• BC Hydro, North Coast Transmission Line Phase 2 (Glenannan to Terrace) project page (scope, routing, schedule)
  https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/north-coast-bc-electrification/glenannan-terrace.html
• BC Energy Regulator, North Coast Transmission Line (phase breakdown and related infrastructure summary)
  https://www.bc-er.ca/what-we-regulate/transmission-lines/north-coast-transmission-line-nctl/
• Government of British Columbia, release outlining NCTL phases and distances (includes Phase 2 length)
  https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025ECS0044-001032
• BC Hydro, North Coast electrification project map (PDF)
  https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/graphics/maps/north-coast-electrification-project-map-full-size.pdf