To ensure a continued, reliable supply of electricity to growing communities between Nanaimo and Qualicum Beach, BC Hydro has identified the need to reinforce the capacity of the central Vancouver Island transmission system by October 2010. BC Hydro is building a new double circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line that will tap into existing transmission lines approximately 12 kilometres inland and connect to a new substation south of Nanaimo.
The existing 138 kV transmission lines in the area will also re-connect to the new substation.
In anticipation of continued growth in the region, the CVI Project also involved procuring a site for a second new substation that will be located at the existing 230 kV system (southwest of Barsby Lake), and additional right-of-way for a transmission line link (approximately two km.) between the tap point and the second new substation location, to be built sometime in the future.
