Construction continues on the $1-billion John Hart Generating Station replacement project near Campbell River. Workers and equipment are shown inside the power tunnel that will carry water 1.6 kilometres from the John Hart Dam and Reservoir to the new underground generating station.
The power tunnel manifold area will contain water flowing at a rate of 124 cubic metres per second (or enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool in 20 seconds) to enter one of the three water inlets to the turbines which generate power.
The flow will provide 132 megawatts of hydro power, or enough to supply about 80,000 homes. That’s an increase of about 10 per cent over the existing 70-year-old facility. Project contractor InPower B.C. has, to date, paid out $56 million for wages. About 300 people are currently working on the project, which is on budget and on schedule to open in fall 2018.
