Contract award expected in summer 2015, subject to project approvals

VANCOUVER – BC Hydro posted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on BC Bid today for main civil works for the Site C Clean Energy Project (Site C). This RFQ initiates a 16-month procurement process with a contract award expected in the summer of 2015, subject to environmental certification, other regulatory permits and authorizations, and approvals to proceed.

The scope of the main civil works contract includes the construction of an earthfill dam, two diversion tunnels, and a concrete foundation for the generating station and spillways.

The issuance of this RFQ is consistent with BC Hydro’s procurement approach for Site C, as set out in the project’s January 2013 Business Case Summary and the Environmental Impact Statement, filed with federal and provincial environmental regulators in January 2013. The Site C project website at www.sitecproject.com lists all current and upcoming major procurements, including anticipated timelines.

“It is standard practice for major infrastructure projects to initiate procurements concurrent with environmental and other regulatory processes,” said Dave Conway, Community Relations Manager for the Site C Clean Energy Project. “A project like Site C can better manage risks to budget and schedule by starting the procurement process early, recognizing that construction would not take place unless it receives environmental certification and other approvals.”

Responses to the RFQ are due by May 30, 2014. BC Hydro anticipates that up to four contractors will be shortlisted and issued with a Request for Proposals in the summer of 2014, with contract award in the summer of 2015.

“We are proposing Site C to help meet the long-term electricity needs in British Columbia,” continued Conway. “Subject to approvals, the construction of Site C would create thousands of jobs and contribute about $3.2 billion to our province’s GDP; this would provide economic opportunities for businesses of all sizes, including Aboriginal companies.”

BC Hydro will host business-to-business networking sessions in the Peace Region in September 2014 once the shortlisted proponents for the main civil works contract have been selected. At these sessions, local, regional and Aboriginal businesses will have the opportunity to meet proponents with the objective of building partnerships and opportunities for regional contractors.

The main civil works RFQ can be found on BC Bid at www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca, document number 1824.

Key Facts:

• The procurement approach for Site C consists of a number of large contracts for major project components, such as the main civil works, as well as multiple smaller contracts for supporting activities and ancillary works.
• The main civil works contract comprises the majority of earthworks required to construct the Site C project, including:
  • Approximately 32 million m³ of excavation for structures, including approach channel and tailrace.
  • River diversion works, including construction of:
    • Two 10.8 m internal diameter concrete-lined tunnels between 700 m to 800 m in length.
    • Associated cofferdams and intake and outlet structures.
  • Earthfill dam – central core zoned earth embankment approximately 1,050 m long and 60 m above the present river level (total volume approximately 20 million m³).
  • Roller-compacted concrete buttress – approximately 800 m in length to a maximum height of 70 m (total RCC volume of approximately 2 million m³).
  • Significant ancillary works such as permanent network of site roads, site drainage and debris handling facilities.
• BC Hydro expects to issue additional procurements for early works contracts in the summer of 2014. The scope of these contracts would include site preparation, including the installation of infrastructure (e.g., site power and communications) and access roads.
• The construction of Site C would generate economic activity in B.C. and in the region.
  • Site C would create approximately 10,000 person-years of direct employment during construction, and about 33,000 person-years of direct and indirect employment through all stages of development and construction.
  • Site C would contribute an estimated $130 million to regional GDP and $3.2 billion to provincial GDP from the purchase of goods and services during construction.
  • Activities during construction would result in approximately $176 million in provincial revenues, and approximately $270 million in revenues for the federal government.
  • During construction, Site C would result in a total of $40 million in tax revenues to local governments and, once in operation, $2 million in revenue from grants-in-lieu and school taxes.
  • A regional legacy benefits agreement would provide $2.4 million annually to the Peace River Regional District and its member municipalities for 70 years, starting when Site C is operational. The annual funding would be indexed to inflation.

For media inquiries, please contact:
604 786 5711

About Site C

The Site C Clean Energy Project is a proposed third dam and hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in northeast B.C. Site C would provide 1,100 megawatts (MW) of capacity, and produce about 5,100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year — enough energy to power the equivalent of about 450,000 homes per year in B.C. Subject to environmental certification and other approvals, Site C would be a source of clean, renewable and cost-effective electricity in B.C. for more than 100 years. More information: sitecproject.com.

About BC Hydro

BC Hydro has been providing clean, reliable power to British Columbians for more than 50 years while maintaining among the lowest rates in North America. BC Hydro is a provincial Crown corporation that serves 1.9 million customers and invests in the electrical system and in energy conservation to deliver a safe and reliable supply of electricity for today’s customers and for generations to come. More information: bchydro.com.

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Learn more about Site C procurement opportunities