Site C Clean Energy Project
The Site C Clean Energy Project is one of Canada's largest infrastructure developments and a cornerstone of British Columbia's long-term energy strategy. Designed to provide reliable, renewable electricity for more than 100 years, the project supports the province's growing energy needs while contributing to a lower-carbon future.
ACCIONA, as part of Peace River Hydro Partners, played a key role in the construction of major components of the project, which includes a 1,050-metre-long, 60-metre-high earthfill dam, two large diversion tunnels, and the concrete foundations required for the power generation station and spillways. The scale of the project, combined with the complexity of constructing critical infrastructure in a challenging environment, required careful planning, technical expertise, and close coordination across the project team.
Once fully operational, the 1,100 MW hydroelectric facility will generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately 450,000 homes. The project represents a significant investment in clean energy infrastructure and will help ensure a stable and sustainable electricity supply for future generations across British Columbia.
Delivering clean, renewable energy to power British Columbia for generations
With ACCIONA's scope of work complete, the Site C Clean Energy Project has reached a major milestone toward delivering a dependable source of renewable electricity for more than 100 years. Once the generating station is fully commissioned, the 1,100 MW facility will provide enough clean electricity to power approximately 450,000 homes, helping meet British Columbia's growing energy needs while supporting the province's transition to a lower-carbon economy. The project has also contributed to regional economic growth through employment, local procurement, and long-term infrastructure investment, creating lasting environmental and economic benefits for communities across British Columbia.
GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
- Client: BC Hydro
- Location: Northeastern British Columbia
- Contract Type: Design Bid Build (DBB)
- Contract Value: $1.75 Billion
- Project Team: Peace River Hydro Partners (PRHP) – ACCIONA and Samsung
- Project Status: Completed in 2024
GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
- 1,100 MW hydroelectric generating capacity
- Renewable electricity for approximately 450,000 homes
- Expected operating life exceeding 100 years
- Construction of a 1,050 m long, 60 m high earthfill dam
- Construction of two 10.8 m diameter diversion tunnels
- Construction of concrete foundations for the generating station and spillways
INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
The Site C Clean Energy Project is designed to provide long-term renewable electricity with some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy generated compared with other power generation sources. The project supports British Columbia's transition to a lower-carbon economy while providing a reliable source of baseload renewable energy.
The scale and complexity of the project required innovative construction approaches, extensive planning, and advanced engineering solutions to safely deliver major hydroelectric infrastructure in a challenging environment.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
The Peace River Hydro Partners (PRHP) consortium, led by ACCIONA, was recognized by BC Hydro for achieving North American records in roller-compacted concrete (RCC) placement during construction of the Site C Clean Energy Project. The team successfully placed:
- 581,000 m³ of RCC in 2019
- 151,000 m³ of RCC in August 2019
- 52,000 m³ of RCC in a single week
- 10,000 m³ of RCC in a single day
PRHP was also recognized by WorkSafeBC for developing and implementing an innovative Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) proximity detection system to enhance worker safety on site. The technology was designed to help prevent struck-by incidents by alerting workers and equipment operators when operating in close proximity, particularly in areas where personnel and heavy equipment worked together in confined spaces.
Recognizing struck-by incidents as one of the leading risks in construction, the PRHP management team identified this hazard as a key project safety priority and invested in the development and deployment of the RFID system to further strengthen safety performance across the project.