Government Guestimates

The Electric Dictator says the 900 MW Site C dam will generate enough electricity to light 410,000 homes. That works out to about 455 homes per megawatt.

In the article below it says that the Peace Canyon Dam, on the same river and only 83km upstream from Site C, will light around 300,000 homes. Peace Canyon is a 700 megawatt facility. That works out to about 430 homes per megawatt. Peace Canyon has just undergone a major reno and is using the most modern and efficient equipment so this isn't a matter of old versus new.

It's not even a really big difference. However, it's just a clear example of politicians stretching the numbers to benefit their arguments.

Using Campbell's numbers, Peace Canyon should be generating enough power to light an additional 18,500 homes.

The article also mentions that the new upgrades will allow the facility to provide power to the province for another 20 to 30 years. It was built in 1980. 30 more years would take it's service life out to 60 years. This happens to be the same number used to desribe the expected life span of a hydro dam in documents produced by the Columbia Power Corporation (owned by the BC Government).

Peace Canyon is a concrete structure as are the CPC plants.

Campbell went for the gusto on this one. He says Site C, which is a mud wall with a concrete door, will last 100 years. He is a full 40 years beyond the past estimates of his own experts.

Peace Canyon Dam reno complete

Friday, September 25, 2009

A major upgrade of the Peace Canyon Dam is now complete.
The $120 million refurbishment began in May of 2006, with the goal of allowing the facility to provide power to the province for another 20-30 years. The project included replacing the stators, upgrading the rotors, and overhauling the turbines of the plant’s four units. BC Hydro CEO Bob Elton says the overhaul was completed on time, and around $6 million under budget.
The 29 year-old dam provides enough hydro-electricity to power around 300,000 homes.