BURST
A decade after shovels hit the ground and protest placards were thrust in the air, the Site C Dam has reached full operational capability.
The successful commissioning of the sixth and final generating unit on the controversial project was the last to come online over the past 10 months, giving the dam the capacity generate more than 1,100 megawatts of electricity — enough energy to reliably power about 500,000 homes annually.
Construction began in July 2015, with the first generating unit coming online in October 2024. The project was hit by legal challenges from First Nations, academics, local landowners and critics, and doubled its original budget of $8.8 billion to $16 billion —making it the most expensive dam in Canadian history — and massive engineering woes.
But it’s made it to the finish line. With the project’s completion, B.C. Hydro says it will increase its total electricity supply by about eight per cent, helping make B.C. more energy stable and continuing to transition to greener supply source.
“The commission of Site C’s final generating unit is another step forward to securing B.C.’s clean energy future,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, in a news release. “I extend my sincere appreciation to the thousands of people who worked on Site C over the past decade — because of your work, generations of British Columbians will benefit from reliable and affordable clean electricity.”
“Bringing the final generating unit online is a proud moment for everyone at B.C. Hydro,” added Charlotte Mitha, B.C. Hydro President and CEO. “Site C represents years of dedication, innovation, collaboration and overcoming challenges. Now that Site C is in full operation, it will serve our customers for the next 100 years and play a critical role in ensuring a stable and reliable electricity system.”
The focus for the final stages of work on the project now shifts to completing the powerhouse and generating station, finishing paving on access roads, final equipment commissioning and addressing any deficiencies. Any tunnels used to divert the Peace River will be backfilled, and those areas no longer needed for construction will be re-vegetated.
While public boat launches will open when the reservoir is deemed safe — in spring 2026 at the earliest — B.C. Hydro is still urging the public to stay away from the Site C reservoir and surrounding slopes, as floating vegetation debris and the surrounding land and shoreline continuing to stabilize still pose a risk.