What Residents Are Saying?

BC-Hydro’s West Kelowna Transmission Project - Community Consultation Report

BC Hydro’s proposed West Kelowna Transmission Project (WKTP) is intended to create a redundant power connection between West Kelowna and Kelowna, improving reliability for nearly 70,000 westside residents. Currently, West Kelowna relies on a single 138-kilovolt transmission line from Nicola Substation near Merritt, leaving the region vulnerable to major outages caused by wildfire, vandalism, severe weather, or natural disaster.

The need for a backup transmission connection was identified in 2014, with an original in-service target of 2022 that has now been delayed to 2032.

The key questions are no longer why the project is needed or when it will be completed, but WHERE will the transmission line go and HOW will it be built - overhead or underground. These decisions will shape West Kelowna’s neighbourhoods, environment, and character for decades.

Community Feedback: What BC Hydro Heard

BC Hydro recently released its Community Consultation Report summarizing feedback gathered through online survey responses, open-house attendees, written feedback forms and public presentations to West Kelowna City Council.

The report reveals several clear themes.

Strong Preference for Route Option 1

According to the consultation report, 65 per cent of the 1,215 survey respondents preferred Route Option 1. The next closest option, Route 3C, received just 14 per cent support.

Residents repeatedly expressed support for the most direct route, believing it would minimize both construction disruption and long-term impacts on neighbourhoods and natural areas.

Residential, Visual, and Environmental Concerns

The consultation report identified residential property impacts as the single most common concern raised by participants.

Many residents expressed opposition to any routes that would place transmission infrastructure through established neighbourhoods, private property, and environmentally sensitive areas. Concerns included property devaluation, loss of neighbourhood character, impacts on views and natural spaces, and long-term effects on quality of life.

Environmental impacts were another major issue, particularly the removal of trees and forested areas, disturbance to wildlife habitat, and the long-term effect on West Kelowna’s natural environment. For many residents, protecting the community’s natural beauty remains a key priority.

Growing Support for Underground Transmission Lines

The consultation report also revealed strong public demand for underground transmission lines. Many residents argued that underground installation would significantly reduce visual impacts, residential disruption, environmental damage, and wildfire risk associated with overhead infrastructure.

One participant quoted in the report summarized a common sentiment:

“I understand above-ground power lines are less expensive, but they are much more invasive. If we consider long-term cost and impact, underground definitely makes sense.”

While underground systems typically involve higher upfront construction costs, many residents believe the long-term community and environmental benefits justify deeper consideration.

Questions About the Decision-Making Process

BC-Hydro’s Community Consultation Report has residents raising broader questions about how the final decision will be made.

In the report BC Hydro states that feedback from the public is only one component of the evaluation process. Additional considerations include:

• Input from Westbank First Nation and the Syilx Okanagan Nation

• Feedback from the City of West Kelowna

• Technical and environmental specialist assessments

• Reliability and safety requirements

• Natural and human environmental impacts

• Cost to construct the line

Input versus Feedback

Some residents have expressed concern about the distinction BC Hydro makes between “input” and “feedback.”

The report indicates BC Hydro is seeking Westbank First Nation “input” while soliciting municipal “feedback” from the City of West Kelowna.

To many residents, that distinction matters.

Input generally implies proactive involvement that helps shape decisions before they are finalized, while feedback is often viewed as reactive commentary after options have already been developed.

Community members are increasingly asking whether residents and municipal leaders will have meaningful influence over the final route and construction method.

Looking Beyond Initial Construction Costs

Another major issue emerging from the consultation process is cost evaluation.

Public discussion often focuses heavily on initial construction expenses, particularly when comparing overhead versus underground transmission lines. However, many residents argue that focusing only on upfront cost may ignore the project’s true long-term financial, environmental, and social impacts.

This has led to growing calls for BC Hydro to conduct a comprehensive Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA).

A Life Cycle Cost Analysis evaluates not only construction expenses, but also long-term maintenance and operating costs, environmental mitigation, wildfire risk management, and community impacts over time.

In many infrastructure projects, operating and maintenance expenses can account for more than 90 per cent of total lifetime costs.

Residents are asking whether underground infrastructure, while more expensive initially, could ultimately provide greater long-term value when reliability, wildfire prevention, environmental protection, and community impacts are fully considered.

Community Participation Matters

BC Hydro has indicated that a final decision on the transmission route and installation method could be made later this year. That decision will have lasting consequences for our community and environment. It is about what kind of community West Kelowna wants to become.

Residents will have an opportunity to make their voices heard at an upcoming public hearing hosted by the City of West Kelowna.

Public Hearing Details

• Date: Monday, May 26

• Time: 6:00 p.m.

• Location: West Kelowna City Hall

The hearing will focus on the proposed West Kelowna Transmission Project, including route options and whether portions of the transmission line should be constructed overhead or underground. It will become part of the official record and provide residents with an opportunity to demonstrate that the community is informed, engaged, and paying attention.

Even brief statements can help shape public discussion and reinforce community priorities.

We only get one shot at this. Your commitment & active participation will give us the best opportunity to get it right the first time!