The federal government and BC Hydro announced a joint investment of $32.7 million to support green energy projects, including the Cariboo region.
In an email from BC Hydro, they say the Barkerville Project will receive a total of $5 million, which will bring a fully electric underground gold mine, making it one of the first fully electric underground mines in Canada.
This also includes a connection to BC Hydro’s electricity grid, using a 66-kilovolt powerline from the Barlow substation near Quesnel to the mine site, and associated equipment and upgrades at the substation.
Half of the funding will be from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, with the remaining half from BC Hydro.
The switch to electric will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 22,700 tonnes annually.
For reference, one tonne of Carbon dioxide is equivalent to 2,500 miles driven by an average gasoline powered passenger vehicle.
BC Hydro said that the expected in-service date is November 2024, with work starting in summer 2024.
More information on the decarbonization projects in British Columbia can be found on the province’s website here.