Graphic Rendering of Base Concept Click to enlarge picture.

The Waneta Expansion is a project to construct a second powerhouse at Waneta Dam on the Pend d’Oreille River south of Trail, British Columbia. Though separated physically from Waneta Dam and its existing powerhouse, the expansion project will share the 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 has been 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 Waneta Dam and Highway 22A. Two Francis units will produce a combined maximum capacity of 435 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 Waneta Expansion received its environmental assessment certificate on November 9, 2007 after a comprehensive review by the BC Environmental Assessment Office and associated federal agencies. After further approvals from the Federal Ministry of Environment and other provincial and regulatory bodies, the project is expected to begin construction in the winter of 2008 with power generation coming online in 2012.

The Waneta Expansion development is being managed through the Design-Evaluate-Build project implementation strategy used to realize the Arrow Lakes Generating Station and the Brilliant Expansion. Construction and operation of the Waneta Expansion Project will contribute long-term economic benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin while helping to meet BC's Energy Plan's goal for energy self-sufficiency.

Along with creating clean, renewable power for the Province, the Waneta Expansion will also provide environmental benefits for the Columbia River. As the second powerhouse will reduce the amount of water spilled at the existing Waneta Dam, total gas pressure downstream will be reduced. This will improve water quality for all aquatic species downstream of the expansion.