BC Hydro announced on May 4 that Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Co. has been awarded a $40 million contract for civil work to install the 5 and 6 generating units at Mica Dam.
The civil contract includes the supply and placement of reinforced concrete to house the turbine parts and for other purposes related to the installation of the additional generating units. Hydro says the contract will create 121 person years of direct employment over the next five years.
"BC Hydro is taking important steps to secure our province's future electricity needs by re-investing in our heritage generating facilities," said Energy and Mines Minister Rich Coleman. “The work being done at Mica will not only ensure the facility continues generating clean electricity for British Columbians for years to come but will also benefit many families through job creation.”
All labour for the Mica 5 and 6 Project will be hired through the Columbia Hydro Constructors agreement that gives preference to Columbia basin workers and equity hire. Throughout the entire life of the project, the Mica Unit 5 and 6 expansion is expected to create 800 person-years of direct employment.
The Revelstoke Employment Centre currently has information on employment with the project.
The Mica 5 and 6 Project is ramping up for construction this spring and will continue over the next three years.
The Mica Dam is located about 135 kilometres north of Revelstoke along Highway 23. It is already the tallest dam in the province at 243 metres in height, the additional capacity will also make Mica Generating Station the most powerful. The additional two units will increase the generating capacity of the facility from 1,805 megawatts to approximately 2,805 megawatts, surpassing BC Hydro’s current largest facility – GM Shrum Generating Station on the Peace River System at 2,730 megawatts.
The dam has four generators now, but was originally designed to house a total of six.
On-site work will start this month, though preparation has been going on for years. Construction of the Mica Townsite expansion is well underway.
The Unit 5 and 6 project combined with ongoing work to upgrade switchgear at the dam is estimated to cost about $1 billion.