Overview
- Construction officially began at a Prince George groundbreaking on Thursday, Sept. 3, launching Phase 1: a 165-kilometre, 500 kV segment from the Williston substation to the Glenannan substation.
- Ottawa and the provincial government pledged a combined $3.9 billion to the project and the Canada Infrastructure Bank granted roughly $140 million in a loan to BC Hydro to fast-track preconstruction work.
- Officials say the NCTL could generate about $10 billion in annual economic activity, create nearly 10,000 direct jobs when operational and support about 1,400 roles at peak construction.
- Local First Nations delivered a non-opposition letter allowing work to start while they continue negotiating final agreements and potential equity ownership arrangements, including a K'uul Power proposal for Phase 2.
- Proponents estimate the line could cut emissions by up to three million tonnes a year and more than double clean electricity to the Pacific coast, a move designed to unlock LNG and critical-minerals processing and strengthen regional energy sovereignty with full project completion targeted around 2032.