BC Hydro Voltage Conversion - Vancouver

Don’t get caught without an equipment replacement plan.

What’s happening: In 2018, BC Hydro was granted approval for the replacement of the aging Dal Grauer Substation on Burrard Street in Downtown Vancouver. In order to upgrade the city’s electricity system to meet Vancouver’s future power needs, a new substation will be installed underground at the Lord Roberts Annex property in the West End. BC Hydro expects the new substation to be operational by 2029.

What it means: With the retirement of the old substation, BC Hydro has planned to convert their high voltage distribution from the existing 12.47 kV to 24.94 kV distribution voltage to accommodate upgrades to the transmission system.

Why it matters: Any property with electricity supplied by the soon-to-be retired substation will be impacted by this voltage conversion.

You need: An end-to-end replacement strategy

Step 1: Explore if your building falls within BC Hydro’s planned conversion area

Step 2: Engage an electrical consulting engineer to help facilitate discussions with BC Hydro

Step 3: Develop an equipment replacement strategy that considers building constraints, such as electrical demand load, planned future capacity, physical space, and more, while ensuring a cost-effective solution which is in the Property Owner’s best interests.

Step 4: Prepare a detailed design and associated RFP package to award to a qualified contractor

Planning for additional voltage conversion projects in Burnaby and other suburban areas of Greater Vancouver is already underway.

AES can help assess how your properties will be impacted and assist in developing a strategic replacement plan.