Graphic Rendering of Base Concept Click to enlarge picture.

The Waneta Expansion is a project to construct a second powerhouse at the Waneta Dam on the Pend d'Oreille River south of Trail, British Columbia. Located immediately downstream from the Waneta Dam and its existing powerhouse, the expansion project will share the existing dam's hydraulic head and generate power from flow that would otherwise be spilled. The rights to use this hydraulic head were acquired by Columbia Power Corporation from Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. in 1994. These rights are now held by Waneta Expansion Power Corporation, the company formed jointly by Columbia Power Corporation and the Columbia Basin Trust to develop, construct and operate the project.

The Base Concept for the Waneta Expansion was developed to avoid potential environmental impacts on white sturgeon habitat in the Columbia-Pend d'Oreille confluence area. Water will be conveyed through two large diameter tunnels from the Waneta forebay into a two-unit powerhouse to be built "in the dry" on the right bank of the Pend d'Oreille River between the Waneta Dam and Highway 22A. The Base Concept has been permitted for two Francis turbine units to produce up to a combined maximum capacity of 335 megawatts. Output from the units will be stepped-up to 230 kV at the powerhouse and delivered to BC Hydro's Selkirk Substation through a new 10 km transmission line.

The Project received its Environmental Assessment Certificate on November 9, 2007 after a comprehensive review by the BC Environmental Assessment Office. An announcement in the spring of 2008 by the federal Environment Minister “that the Waneta Expansion Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects” paved the way for the project to move on to the request for proposal stage in the fall of 2008.

Three proponents committed to undertaking the development of proposals to construct the Project. They were:

• Peter Kiewit Sons Co.
• SNC - Lavalin Inc.
• Bilfinger Berger - North America Construction Joint Venture, a joint venture of Bilfinger Berger (Canada) Inc. and North America Construction (1993) Ltd.

Following the evaluation process, SNC – Lavalin Inc. was named the initial preferred Proponent on May 21st, 2009 and negotiations commenced towards contract finalization.

While the announcement of a preferred design-build proponent was a crucial step in project development, planning to determine whether the project would ultimately move ahead continued. On November 4, 2009, the joint venture partners issued the following news release:

WANETA EXPANSION PROJECT TO UNDERGO RESTRUCTURING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 4, 2009

Castlegar – Waneta Expansion Power Corporation (WEPC), a subsidiary of Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust, will not be moving forward with the proposed Waneta Expansion project as it is currently configured. WEPC will be pursuing opportunities to restructure and enhance the viability of the project.

"We will be exploring other avenues and identifying other potential partners to improve the viability of the project. We are hopeful that in the coming months we can move this project to a point where it can proceed," said Lee Doney, Board Chair of Columbia Power Corporation.

The Waneta Expansion project is a proposed second powerhouse located adjacent to Teck Cominco’s existing Waneta Dam on the Pend d’Oreille River south of Trail. The Province acquired expansion rights to the Waneta Dam in 1994 from Teck Cominco. The rights were transferred to Columbia Power Corporation in 1995 and are now held by Waneta Expansion Power Corporation.

"A considerable amount of work has already been done and Columbia Basin Trust is committed to exploring alternatives with Columbia Power Corporation to move this project forward," said Garry Merkel, Board Chair, Columbia Basin Trust.

Columbia Power Corporation is a Crown corporation wholly owned and controlled by the Province of British Columbia. Pursuant to the Columbia Basin Accord signed in 1995, the primary mandate of CPC is to undertake clean and renewable power project investments as the agent of the Province on a joint venture basis with the Columbia Basin Trust.

Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust, through corporate subsidiaries, own the Arrow Lakes Generating Station, the Brilliant Dam and the Brilliant Expansion. For additional information on Columbia Power, visit www.columbiapower.org.

Columbia Basin Trust delivers economic, social, and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit www.cbt.org or call 1-800-505-8998.

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Detailed Project Information
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