Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: Companies that provide equipment and services for hydroelectric projects can bid on components of the project.
The Site C Dam project on the Peace River in British Columbia has gone through several iterations under different provincial governments. The site was originally proposed in the 1980s, but the project did not officially begin until 2014. Budget issues and a change of government stalled the project. The current provincial government conducted an inquiry and rigorous environmental assessment review of the project in 2017 and determined it would move forward. With a budget estimate of $10.7 billion, it is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Canadian history.
BC Hydro’s Site C Clean Energy Project will be a third dam and hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in northeast British Columbia. Upon completion in 2024, it will provide 1,100 megawatts (MW) of capacity, and produce about 5,100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year — enough energy to power the equivalent of about 450,000 homes per year in British Columbia.
Due to the project’s size and scope, the construction process has been broken into multiple areas with respect to site preparation (which is underway), incoming roads and bridges, Peace River and reservoir management as well as the hydroelectric station and transmission line construction.
While a number of the initial components of the project have seen contracts awarded, additional contracts are still forthcoming in a number of different component areas.
Wisconsin companies that provide equipment and services for hydroelectric projects may find appealing opportunities. See the Procurement Forecast for more information.
By registering in the Business Directory on the Site C website you can be alerted to opportunities that match your capabilities. While the form assumes a Canadian address, there is no limitation based on geography and U.S. companies have been awarded contracts on the project.
A focus of the project has been to involve local Aboriginal suppliers, and as a result, many of the successful awardees have collaborated with local Aboriginal companies.