Tuesday, July 21, 2026
The Province and BC Hydro are advancing British Columbia’s first utility-scale battery energy storage project on Vancouver Island.
“As demand for electricity continues to grow throughout British Columbia, we are making strategic investments to continue to deliver reliable, affordable and clean power to homes and businesses,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “B.C.’s first utility-scale battery storage facility will help power the Island and is a key part of BC Hydro’s Powering Growth plan to strengthen our electricity system and support the province’s future growth.”
The project will deliver at least 100 megawatts of battery storage capacity, providing flexible power that can be stored when electricity demand is lower and dispatched when demand is highest. The facility will improve grid reliability, maximize the use of existing electricity infrastructure and support a more resilient electricity system for growing Vancouver Island communities.
On Thursday, July 30, 2026, BC Hydro will issue a request for supplier qualifications to identify and pre-qualify experienced companies capable of designing and delivering the project.
Based on a review of responses received to the request for supplier qualifications, a pool of respondents will be invited to participate in a request for proposals expected this year.
“This first project will help ensure we continue delivering reliable electricity to our customers as demand grows across Vancouver Island and throughout British Columbia,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “As the first utility-scale battery storage project in B.C., it will allow us to use a new technology that can store electricity when it is available and deliver it back to the grid when customers need it most. It is an important step in preparing our system for the future, while making the most of the infrastructure we already have.”
BC Hydro expects to own and operate the grid-scale battery energy storage system, ensuring it can be deployed when and where it is needed most to support customers and maintain system reliability. BC Hydro will leverage private-sector expertise through a competitive process for design, construction and potentially long-term maintenance services.
Following a comprehensive assessment of reliability, cost, environmental and stakeholder considerations, BC Hydro has selected a site adjacent to the Vancouver Island Terminal Substation near Duncan as the preferred location. By using land already owned by BC Hydro, the project can be efficiently integrated into the existing electricity system, while minimizing development impacts.
The facility is targeted to be in service by 2030 and will help prepare Vancouver Island’s electricity system for continued growth in homes, businesses and communities.
“As someone who calls Vancouver Island home, I know that reliable electricity is essential to our quality of life and our economic future,” said George Anderson, parliamentary secretary for energy and climate solutions, and MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville. “This project will help ensure Vancouver Island has the electricity infrastructure needed to support growing communities and meet increasing demand for clean electricity to power more homes, vehicles and businesses, helping build a more sustainable future for the next generation.”
Featured image: (L to R) North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas; Energy Storage Canada CEO Justin Rangooni; Clean Energy BC executive director Stephen Rayner; Cowichan Valley MLA Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat); Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix; Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George Anderson; Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples; and B.C. Hydro senior vice-president of integrated planning Ajay Kumar. (BC Hydro)
