Waneta Hydroelectric Facility On-Line

The Waneta Expansion Limited Partnership, a partnership between Fortis Inc. (FTS.TO)  Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust, announced that the $900 million, 335-megawatt Waneta Expansion hydroelectric generating facility near Trail, British Columbia is online and generating power.

Fortis has a 51% controlling ownership interest in the Waneta Expansion.  All of the output of the Waneta Expansion will be sold to BC Hydro and FortisBC Inc. under 40-year contracts. The Waneta Expansion adds a second powerhouse, immediately downstream of the Waneta Dam on the Pend d'Oreille River, that shares the existing hydraulic head and generates clean, renewable, cost-effective power from water that would otherwise be spilled.  The project included construction of a 10-kilometre, 230-kilovolt transmission line and provides enough energy to power about 60,000 homes per year.  It was completed six weeks ahead of schedule and on budget while maintaining an excellent safety and environmental protection record.