Provincial and local leaders this morning toured the Winsor Substation Rebuild Project, a $15 million investment to provide clean, reliable power to the East Kootenay’s South Country for decades to come.

Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett, Regional District of East Kootenay representatives and Ktunaxa Nation Council representatives took part in the tour of BC Hydro’s upgrade project at Winsor Substation in Elko.

Winsor substation serves customers in the communities of Baynes Lake, Elko, Galloway, Grasmere, Jaffray, Koocanusa, Kragmont, Newgate, Roosville, Rosen Lake, Tie Lake and Tobacco Plains Indian Band. The substation is located in Ktunaxa Nation traditional territory.

Located on Burton Lake Road in Elko, Winsor Substation is at maximum capacity. Currently 
the substation is able to supply six MVA.

Built in 1970, the substation has had no major upgrades since construction.

The rebuild project includes the installation of a new 25 MVA transformer as well as upgrades to the switchyard and protection and control equipment. The station’s wood poles will be replaced with steel structures. One acre of private property next to the existing substation was purchased to facilitate the substation expansion.

At the moment, the substation provides power to 1,700 customers. After these upgrades, it has the capacity to serve 3,100 customers. According to growth predictions, the upgraded substation will meet demand for at least the next 30 years.

The project is part of a province-wide, decade-long capital investment plan for BC Hydro, which will see $2.4 billion spent each year.

The Winsor project is being completed in partnership with the Ktunaxa Nation Council. BC Hydro is pleased to work in greater collaboration with KNC on BC Hydro activities in traditional Ktunaxa territory.

Stakeholder and First Nations engagement for this project began in September 2014 when the RDEK, First Nations and nearby property owners were notified of the improvement project. The project was presented to the public in May at BC Hydro’s annual Operation Update meetings in Cranbrook and Wardner. First Nations, property owners and the RDEK have been provided with regular status updates since 2014.

Clearing took place at the Winsor site in June 2015 and construction activity at the substation began in August. The substation upgrade is expected to be completed and in-service by October 2016.

Lead image: Elected officials and First Nations toured BC Hydro’s Winsor substation upgrades in Elko on Monday. The project is being done in partnership between BC Hydro and the Ktunaxa Nation Council. Pictured, left to right: BC Hydro contractor James Clive, Ktunaxa Nation representatives Diana Dearden and Marion Eunson, Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett, BC Hydro’s Diane Tammen and Kerrie Huolt, and RDEK Electoral Area B Director Stan Doehle. Photos courtesy BC Hydro

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