Voith Hydro Canada is to design, supply, and install six vertical axis, Francis-style turbines, generators and associated equipment for the Site C hydroelectric project in Canada after winning a $470 million contract from developer BC Hydro.
With as many as 150 employees slated to be onsite during peak installation in 2022, the contract is expected to create nearly 400 person-years of employment. Voith Hydro Canada has committed to utilizing Union labour throughout the project and has teamed with local businesses, suppliers and subcontractors for a variety of the site work.
The project will also create ongoing apprenticeship opportunities for millwrights, electricians, pipefitters, boilermakers, and other trades within the region and the First Nations.
"The Site C agreement brings to the region a number of benefits that will provide a lasting positive impact," said Voith Hydro Canada President and CEO Bill Malus. "Along with supplying clean, sustainable energy for generations to come, the Site C turbine and generator contract provides outstanding employment and training opportunities. We're very proud of our commitment to the economies and the workforces of the local community and the Province."
Voith Hydro Canada was selected after a rigorous BC Hydro selection process. During that process Voith was lauded for a strong delivery record during projects of a similar scope and for best meeting BC Hydro's requirements for the Site C turbine-generator contract.
"A rigorous multi-year competitive selection process resulted in several high quality proposals. Voith was selected because of its strong track record with similar complex projects, and its proposal offered BC Hydro the highest value design, within budget," said BC Hydro President and CEO Jessica McDonald.
The Site C Clean Energy Project is a third dam and hydroelectric generating station being built on the Peace River in northeast British Columbia. It is also the largest energy infrastructure project currently in the works across Canada. The project will supply 1100MW of capacity, and produce nearly 5100GWh of electricity annually. Work on the project began during the summer of 2015 and will continue through peak installation periods in 2022 before a scheduled completion in 2024.
