Overview

The Waneta Expansion Generating Station adds a second powerhouse immediately downstream of the Waneta Dam on the Pend d’Oreille River. The expansion shares the existing hydraulic head and generates power from water that would otherwise be spilled. Output from the powerhouse is stepped-up to 230 kV and delivered to BC Hydro’s Selkirk Substation through a 10 km transmission line. The expansion produces clean, renewable, cost-effective, power for all British Columbians.

During construction the owners met regularly 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 support to encourage positive community impacts and benefits and relayed community concerns resulting from construction of the project. The CIMC oversaw an independent socio-economic monitor who produced reports available to the public.

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

In January 2019, Columbia Power and Columbia Basin Trust announced that they had agreed to purchase Fortis Inc.’s 51% interest in the facility. The purchase was concluded in April 2019.

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