Okanagan Capacity Upgrade
The Okanagan Capacity Upgrade project is driven by the increasing demand we are facing as a result of regional growth. FortisBC’s infrastructure is vital to the delivery of renewable and low-carbon gases, which are critical to the province’s ability to meet its CleanBC targets.
Growing demand for energy in the Okanagan region
The Okanagan is one of the fastest-growing regions by population in British Columbia and is home to approximately 110,000 FortisBC customers who rely on our natural gas service every day. Based on forecasts of continued growth, there is an immediate need to address an imminent capacity shortfall in the region, so we can meet our customers’ energy needs now, and well into the future.
Project timelines and next steps
We filed our initial application for the Okanagan Capacity Upgrade Project with our regulator, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) on November 16, 2020. We received the BCUC's decision on December 22, 2023, which included direction to examine potential short-term solutions and develop a mitigation plan to be filed for review by July 31, 2024. Updates on this process will be provided as they become available.
February 13, 2024
Mitigation plan under development following BCUC decision
December 22, 2023
Statement regarding BCUC decision on the Okanagan Capacity Upgrade Project
May 29, 2023
Field activities resuming
April 26, 2021
Upcoming survey work along the proposed route
November 16, 2020
Major step forward for the Okanagan Capacity Upgrade project
September 30, 2020
Wildfire delays some early engineering work
July 31, 2020
Early works along the route
April 15, 2020
FortisBC proposes new gas line project to meet Okanagan growth
April 15, 2020
Telephone town halls
What mitigation options is FortisBC considering?
Answered on:
Feb 13, 2024
Why is FortisBC still investing in natural gas instead of exploring cleaner energy solutions?
Answered on:
Jul 22, 2022
Who will benefit from the project?
Answered on:
Jun 11, 2021
How do I get more information on the project?
Answered on:
Feb 25, 2021
Why build the Okanagan Capacity Upgrade project?
Answered on:
Dec 3, 2020
Partnering with communities
We’re committed to the South Okanagan and are pleased to be active in these communities where we live and work. In addition to regularly engaging residents and Indigenous communities on our services and energy infrastructure, we’re committed to investing in and supporting the region in a variety of ways.
This includes contributing to, and participating in, local community events such as the Pow Wow Between the Lakes event in Penticton—a celebration of the culture and traditions of the Syilx (Okanagan) people. We’ve also supported community projects such as the Three Blind Mice Trails Improvement Project—an initiative headed by the Penticton and Area Cycling Association to develop, maintain and improve safety on mountain bike trails in the region.
Regulatory process
We filed our initial application with our regulator, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), on November 16, 2020. We received the BCUC’s decision on December 22, 2023, which included direction to examine potential short-term solutions and develop a mitigation plan to be filed for review July 31, 2024