Okanagan Capacity Upgrade
We’re planning to increase our capacity in the Okanagan by adding approximately 30 kilometres of new gas line. This project will be an extension of our existing natural gas system, connecting along Penticton’s eastern border and extending north, just beyond Chute Lake.
About this project
The Okanagan Capacity Upgrade project is driven by the increasing demand we are facing as a result of regional growth, and will allow us to meet energy needs now, and well into the future.
This expansion would strengthen our system for approximately 110,000 homes and businesses in the Okanagan that rely on our natural gas service every day.
Flyover of proposed route
This video shows how the project will connecting to our existing system at Ellis Creek (Penticton) and Chute Lake. The majority of project route will be constructed primarily alongside existing FortisBC rights of way to minimize its environmental footprint.
Note: Due to rapid growth in the region the number of homes and businesses that will benefit from the strengthening of our system has increased from 105,000 to 110,000 since the production of this video.
Project timelines and next steps
We filed our application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) on November 16, 2020. In April and May 2020, we held telephone town halls where the community could learn more about the project, get their questions answered and provide feedback. Since then, we have been proceeding with regulatory requirements and further engagement with selected stakeholders, First Nations and interested parties. We will continue to provide broad engagement opportunities throughout the duration project.
We anticipate a decision from the BCUC by the end of 2023. If approved, we expect project construction will take place between 2025 and 2026.
At this time, we estimate this project will cost approximately $327 million, which works out to an annual increase of approximately $11.22 per year for the typical, residential customer in 2027 (based on the average customer consuming 90 GJ per year).
Engagement began
BCUC application filed
We filed our project application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC). View our application.
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Anticipated BCUC decision
Anticipated construction
In service
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
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
Will this project service new properties not currently connected to FortisBC’s natural gas system?
Answered on:
Jun 11, 2021
Why does the route run alongside existing rights of way in some places, but not others?
Answered on:
Jun 11, 2021
Can I see a detailed map of the proposed route?
Answered on:
Jun 11, 2021
How do I get more information on the project?
Answered on:
Feb 25, 2021
Where would the new gas line be built?
Answered on:
Dec 9, 2020
Why build the Okanagan Capacity Upgrade project?
Answered on:
Dec 3, 2020
Why aren’t you building the gas line within the same right of way as the existing gas line?
Answered on:
Dec 3, 2020
How much will this project cost?
Answered on:
Dec 3, 2020
Pagination
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 mountain bike trails in the region.
As project planning continued, we built on this relationship by signing a three-year funding partnership with PACA to maintain and improve safety on local bike trails. Read more about this partnership and the trained regional area trail stewards who began upgrades to the Bronco Trail in summer 2020. We’ll continuing exploring other opportunities to partner with the local community as the project progresses.
Telephone townhalls
We held two telephone townhalls in April and May 2020, providing the community an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions and provide feedback. We’ve included responses to the common questions asked in our Q&As section.
Regulatory process
We filed our application with our regulator, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), on November 16, 2020. We are now awaiting a decision on this application, which we anticipate in 2023.
Other resources
We’ve been engaging with Indigenous communities, local governments and area residents as the project progresses. Materials related to these discussions are available below.
- Telephone town hall presentation - April/May 2020
- Information card - April 2020
- Project launch information bulletin - April 2020