Fourth generating unit now operational at Site C hydroelectric dam

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Diversion tunnels at the Site C hydroelectric dam. — The fourth of six generating units is now online at the Site C hydroelectric dam. (Energeticcity.ca)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Site C hydroelectric dam is now more than halfway towards its goal of being fully operational by this fall.

According to an announcement from BC Hydro, the fourth generating unit at Site C is now operational, meaning the dam is now operating at two-thirds capacity.

This news comes just over a month after the third generating unit was turned on at the facility in late February.

Each generating unit produces enough electricity to power roughly 80,000 homes.

“Congratulations to all the workers at Site C for reaching this important milestone in construction,” said Adrian Dix, minister of energy and climate solutions.

“Another generating unit in operation is another step forward as we work to build a secure supply of clean, affordable, reliable electricity to power British Columbia into the future.”

Site C has stayed in the headlines in the weeks since the third generating unit came online, with Peace River Regional District (PRRD) directors debating issues like the dismantling of a camp for workers helping build the dam and seeking an increase to its annual payment from BC Hydro.

Commissioning and testing are reportedly already underway for the fifth generating unit, and the dam is still on track to have all six operational by the fall.