January 17, 2025 – British Columbia aims to accelerate the expansion of its grid by allowing the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) to act as a “one-window” regulator for the permits necessary to support the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL), as well as other high-voltage electricity transmission projects.

“If the NCTL is not built—and built quickly—major critical minerals, future port expansions, and LNG, hydrogen and other important resource projects may not proceed,” said Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix. “We need to move this vital project forward to realize BC’s resource-development potential, and create jobs and investment opportunities while achieving provincial climate targets.”

The area is currently served by a single 500-kV transmission line that runs from Prince George to Terrace. It does not have the capacity to serve increasing demand.

To that end, the province will make legislative amendments this spring that will enable BCER to adjudicate permits and authorizations, thereby helping BC Hydro’s NCTL deliver power as quickly as possible.

“We urgently need to expand our electricity system in the north to meet the needs of growing industries that want to use clean energy to sustain and expand their operations, creating jobs and economic benefits for First Nations and communities,” said Premier David Eby.

The government says British Columbia’s north coast is seeing significant growth and prospective investment in many areas, including ports, critical-mineral exploration and mining, and liquefied natural gas and hydrogen initiatives—all of which are driving the demand for electricity.

The NCTL project will see the construction of a new transmission line that runs about 450 kilometres between Prince George and Terrace. The project will involve two new transmission line segments and associated towers, as well as upgrades to existing substation and capacitor station infrastructure.

BC Hydro is working with First Nations to identify routes for the new line.

Company president & CEO Chris O’Riley says the proposed expansion “provides an opportunity to advance reconciliation by partnering with First Nations, including Indigenous co-ownership of the new transmission lines”.

Transmission system expansion. Source: BC Hydro presentation, March 2024. (Open in new tab/window to see full size)

A number of provincial permits will be required throughout the planning, development and construction of the project, including under the Forest Act, Heritage Conservation Act, Land Act, Wildlife Act, and Water Sustainability Act.

The legislative amendments will leverage the BCER’s experience with linear infrastructure (i.e. a lengthy footprint crossing multiple regions, territories, and ecosystems), and one-window life cycle regulation to expedite the permitting, approval, and construction of the NCTL in partnership with the province, BC Hydro, and First Nations.

The Energy Resource Activities Act enables the BCER to act as a one-window regulator by giving it responsibility for provincial authorizations required for oil, gas, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol activities, and overseeing exploration, development, operations, and restoration.

The NCTL is part of BC Hydro’s 10-year capital plan that will invest $36 billion over the next decade for community and regional infrastructure investments throughout the province, including $4.7 billion in the north.

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