February 27, 2020
Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. Will Own and Operate the New Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line
Partnership with Trans Mountain and Valard Construction will create new economic opportunities
The Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation (LNIBDC) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a partnership with Trans Mountain and Valard Construction LP (Valard) to build, own, operate and maintain the new 24-kilometre Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line that will run through the Lower Nicola Indian Band’s traditional territory.
The 138-kV transmission line will connect from BC Hydro’s distribution line and provide additional power to Trans Mountain’s existing Kingsvale pump station, as well as a new Kingsvale pump station, as part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
“This will be the first electricity transmission line to be constructed, majority-owned, operated, maintained and financed by an Indigenous group in Canada. This project will provide valuable economic benefits to the Lower Nicola Indian Band,” says Kevin Ainsworth, General Manager of LNIBDC.
LNIBDC holds a majority interest in partnership with Valard and has negotiated a 20-year contract with Trans Mountain Canada Inc. to construct the transmission line and interconnection to BC Hydro, as well as own, operate and maintain the line, with the potential of renewing the contract for an additional 20 years.