BURNABY, B.C. — BC Hydro is poised to sign off on the largest construction contract involved in building the $8.3-billion Site C hydroelectric dam in the province's northeast.
Hydro has selected Peace River Hydro Partners as the preferred proponent for the main civil works contract, valued at $1.5 billion.
Premier Christy Clark says the work will include building the earthfill dam, a pair of diversion tunnels and the concrete foundation for a nearby generating station.
Today is a major step forward for Site C & for those BCians who will be 1st in line for the 1,500 construction jobs. https://t.co/na7Z5wtL6c
— Christy Clark (@christyclarkbc) November 25, 2015
The partnership — made up of Acciona Infrastructure Canada, Petrowest Corporation and Samsung — was one of four groups shortlisted for the contract in April of this year.
BC Hydro expects the eight-year contract to create 1,500 jobs at its peak.
The project has faced numerous legal challenges from landowners groups and First Nations concerned about the impact flooding and the creation of a new lake will have on the Peace River and the surrounding valley.
