During a one on one conversation with BC Hydro’s CEO, Charlotte Mitha at the Williston Substation in Pineview, she got into strategies for developing the talent required to execute the crown corporation’s plans. Plans that include the North Coast transmission project being undertaken that day, September 3rd, 2026. BC Hydro does work with post-secondary institutions, developing curriculum to create the talent they need. Of skilled workers, Mitha said, "We need them. Like you keep hearing about skills shortages coming, so we can’t build any of these projects without a really really good skilled workforce out there.” Scholarships are offered by BC Hydro, but apprenticeship programs are a central part of their efforts to develop their human resources.
BC Hydro CEO, Charlotte Mitha (centre), speaks to a gathered crowd behind a podium. The Williston substation in Pineview, BC is used as a backdrop of electrical infrastructure. Mitha is flanked to the right by BC Premier David Eby, and Federal Minister of Energy Tim Hodgson, and to the left by Lheidli T’enneh Chief Doleen Logan, as well as the Federal Minister responsible for PacifiCan Gregor Robertson, Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
Photo Credit - Ian Gregg
Electricity flowing through the North Coast Transmission Line will service various emerging projects, with energy coming from a variety of sources, many northern, and some yet to be built by the emerging workforce. Among proposed projects are the Site E hydroelectric dam on the Peace River near the Alberta border in Clayhurst, BC and the Homathko River hydroelectric dam about 100km north of Campbell River, BC. Of these potential capacity projects, designed to meet peak power demand, Mitha stated, “...what I’m trying to do right now is get facts on the table…” With increasing demand for electricity amidst advancing industrial projects and data centres, many options are being reviewed.
Amidst the activity, delivering power to some currently offgrid communities could happen with additional costs shouldered by the destination, but it isn’t the priority for now as it requires further infrastructure to be built.
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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