More power coming to FortisBC electricity customers in downtown Kelowna

Oct 1, 2025

$18.6 million investment will increase the amount of power available in the coming years to customers in the area, supporting growth and helping meet high demand during extreme cold and heat

KELOWNA, B.C.—October 1, 2025: Work is underway to upgrade FortisBC Inc.’s (FortisBC) Saucier Substation serving electricity customers in downtown and south-central Kelowna. The company is investing $18.6 million to increase the amount of power it can offer customers in this area, especially during the coldest and hottest times of the year when demand for electricity is highest.

"FortisBC is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers,” said Marko Aaltomaa, director of engineering, asset management and project management office. “We are investing in our electricity system in Kelowna and throughout the Southern Interior so we can continue to meet our customers’ growing energy needs, and support community and economic growth.

"The Saucier Substation serves a large portion of customers in downtown and south-central Kelowna, including the Kelowna General Hospital, and is one of several FortisBC substations serving customers in the city. This project will add a second transformer to the substation, increasing its existing capacity. FortisBC is also expanding the substation’s control building, installing a new access gate and entrance on Richter Street and replacing the switchgear and breakers. Work on the substation is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

"The City of Kelowna greatly appreciates FortisBC's significant investment in the Saucier Substation and looks forward to continued collaboration,” said Ryan Smith, divisional director, planning and development services. “The City is committed to working with FortisBC on proactive initiatives aimed at accelerating infrastructure investments in Kelowna's most rapidly growing areas."

The project is needed to meet FortisBC customers’ growing electricity needs in downtown and south-central Kelowna, and to continue to provide power safely and reliably for the area. Demand for power has been growing due to population and economic growth , increased use of electric vehicles and heat pumps by its customers and increasing housing density in the city. Over the past five years in Kelowna, FortisBC has added more than 10,000 new electricity customers.

Visit FortisBC’s website for more information on the Saucier Substation upgrade project.

Background

The Saucier Substation upgrade is one of many steps FortisBC is taking to help meet its customers’ growing energy needs across British Columbia’s Southern Interior region.

In the past few years, FortisBC has been upgrading existing substations and building new substations in Grand Forks, Salmo, South Slocan, Beaver Park, Fruitvale, Trail and Kelowna, offering customers in these areas more power and supporting community and economic growth.

The company is also investing $133 million by 2027 to upgrade substations in Kaleden, Keremeos, Christina Lake and Kelowna, as well as transmission lines serving the South Okanagan region. In addition to the Saucier Substation, it is upgrading the Glenmore, Duck Lake and DG Bell substations serving its customers in Kelowna.

FortisBC recently announced a call for power for new electricity generation projects from wind energy sources, seeking to collaborate with businesses that can deliver local power and with Indigenous communities in the Southern Interior.

In 2026, FortisBC will file a new Long-Term Electric Resource Plan with the British Columbia Utilities Commission that will outline its proposal for additional investments in electricity infrastructure to help meet its customers’ needs, while supporting affordability and helping to lower energy consumption in homes and businesses.

Existing transformer at the Saucier Substation in Kelowna.

Equipment will be moved to make way for the new, second transformer.

The Saucier Substation will also be getting new switchgear and a larger control building.

 

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