**Construction Begins on Major British Columbia Transmission Line to Power Northwest**
Construction has started on the North Coast Transmission Line, a large‑scale electricity project that the federal and provincial governments say will inject billions into British Columbia’s economy, create thousands of jobs, and support new industrial development in the province’s north.
The line will link Prince George to Terrace on the North Coast and is expected to more than double the region’s electricity supply. The project, which was referred to the federal major projects office in November 2025 for possible fast‑tracking, is intended to power the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas facility and mines in the Golden Triangle near the Alaska border.
Federal Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said the project “has gone from a concept to shovels in the ground in an incredibly short period of time” and highlighted the partnership between federal, provincial, local governments and First Nations. “It shows what Canadians can do, and that’s so important at this challenging time in the world,” he added.
B.C. Premier David Eby told a news conference in Prince George that the line will help the province “grow and prosper and diversify not just away from the United States … but building the kind of country that delivers what the world wants and needs.” He also noted that the project would reduce reliance on imported diesel for mining and other industrial operations.
BC Hydro chief executive Charlotte Mitha said the utility is sourcing as much material and equipment as possible from Canada, though some specialty items may need to come from abroad. “We are anticipating very, very, high Canadian content – as high as we can get – and we’re prepared to make the tough decisions on that, even if it means having to re‑look at schedules,” she said.
The first phase of the line covers 165 kilometres from Prince George to near Fraser Lake and is targeted for completion in 2030. A second phase will extend the line to Terrace and is expected to finish in 2032.
The federal and provincial governments committed a combined $3.9 billion to the project in July 2026. BC Hydro also received a loan of nearly $140 million from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to accelerate pre‑construction work.
The B.C. government said that co‑ownership agreements with First Nations are expected to be finalized by the end of the year. Chief Dolleen Logan of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation welcomed the project, saying it represents “a new beginning for our region, our shared economy and our shared alignment of values that move strong economy‑building projects forward.”
The project is projected to contribute $10 billion a year to the provincial economy, create 9,700 jobs, and generate $950 million in municipal and provincial revenue.
Article and image source: biv.com
