Located on the Peace River, Site C is the largest and most costly infrastructure undertaking in British Columbia’s history, with a construction budget estimated at $16 billion. Each of the generating units can deliver more than 180MW of electricity. Once all six units are operational, the facility will contribute approximately 8% to BC Hydro’s total electricity supply.
Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, stated: “Commissioning the fifth generating unit at Site C is a significant step towards securing more clean and affordable electricity for communities, homes and businesses. Congratulations to all the workers at Site C on your success achieving this significant milestone.”
The Site C project has progressed steadily since the first unit came online in October 2024. The second unit followed in December, the third in February 2025, and the fourth was commissioned in late March. The sixth and final unit is expected to be in service later this year, completing the generation capacity of the facility.
The Site C hydroelectric station is the third dam and generating station on the Peace River in northeast BC. Once fully operational, it is projected to generate around 5,100 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually. The project includes the creation of a reservoir approximately 83 kilometers in length, covering 5,550 hectares of land, with a total surface area of about 9,330 hectares.
The Site C project received environmental approvals from both the federal and provincial governments in October 2014. The Government of British Columbia approved the project in December 2014. Construction began in summer 2015 and has involved thousands of workers and multiple phases over the past decade.
With the final unit nearing completion, Site C is set to play a significant role in supporting British Columbia’s long-term energy needs by providing a stable supply of renewable electricity. The project contributes to the province’s efforts to enhance clean energy capacity and meet growing demand from households, industry, and commercial users.
BC Hydro continues to oversee the final phase of commissioning, with system integration, operational checks, and performance testing ongoing as the final unit is brought online.
