BC Hydro finally choosing its favoured route for a second transmission line on the Westside of Okanagan Lake is âa good next step in what we need,â according to Peachlandâs mayor.
âLooking at the timeline, the only wish that I have is that they speed it up,â Patrick Van Minsel told Black Press Media. âBecause the timeline is still five or six years out.â
The mayor pointed out that interim solutions would be needed for power interruptions during that time frame.
BC Hydro announced on Sept. 13 that its leading alternative for the West Âé¶čAV Transmission Project involves building a new line, including an underwater cable across Okanagan Lake, connecting the Westbank substation to the FortisBC system in Âé¶čAV.
Van Minsel added Westside communities were informed a few days prior to the announcement.
âIâve also discussed this with Westbank First Nation and the chief and this is their preferred proposal,â he said. âIâm happy to see BC Hydro and FortisBC working together.â
The mayor also noted BC Hydro received $5.2 billion from government to be spent in the next 10 years.
âWeâre one of the identified projects,â he said. âSo Iâm hopeful that in the future we will have that second line coming in.â
BC Hydro will develop a schedule for the project in early 2025 and host community open houses and other activities.
