Overview

The Brilliant Expansion Project saw the addition of a second powerhouse located immediately downstream of the Brilliant Dam on the Kootenay River. The expansion shares the existing hydraulic head and generates power from water that would otherwise be spilled. Output from the expansion is linked to the Brilliant Terminal Station and later is delivered to BC Hydro’s Selkirk Substation through a 34 km transmission line. The facility produces clean, renewable, cost effective, energy for all British Columbians.

At the peak of construction, over 400 people were working directly on the project. Of those 400 people over 85 per cent were local residents (from within 100km of the project). Over $50 million was paid in wages and over $44 million was injected into the local economy through the purchase of goods and services.

During construction the owners met monthly with a Community Impact Management Committee (CIMC), consisting of local residents, members of local and regional government, first nations, and the contractors. These stakeholders provided ongoing support to encourage positive community impacts and benefits and relay community concerns resulting from construction of the project. The CIMC oversaw an independent socio-economic monitor who produced public reports.

The project was committed to a high standard of quality, safety and environmental stewardship.

Trust Power Operations, as an agent of Columbia Power, manages this asset on behalf of the Owners and oversees operations and maintenance working together with our contractor FortisBC.