Huge Revelstoke Dam Unit 5 project transformers arrive

Friday, Mar 05, 2010

BC Hydro recently moved three school-bus sized transformers to the Revelstoke Dam, bringing into place the last major components of the Revelstoke Unit 5 project.

“Now that we have received all of the main components, project contractors will complete the assembly of the generating unit, transformers and other electrical equipment,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Jennifer Walker-Larsen. “Once the assembly is complete, BC Hydro will start a test phase of the generating unit and related equipment.”

The transformers, which were manufactured in Varrenes, Quebec, weigh almost 110 tonnes each. They were moved across the country by rail, and then from the tracks to the Revelstoke Dam using a 143-foot-long suspension trailer.

A 188-tonne Unit 5 turbine moved into place last summer was one of the biggest single loads moved on a roadway in B.C.'s history.

Walker-Larsen says the target in-service date for the project is October of this year.

Hydro is projecting the new generating unit will provide approximately 500 megawatts of additional dependable capacity to the Revelstoke Generating Station. This will bring the facility’s overall capacity to 2,480 megawatts. The new capacity will allow BC Hydro to serve the needs of an additional 40,000 homes at peak demand.

 

Source: BC Local