BC Hydro plans to begin construction before the end of the year to add a newly approved 500-MW turbine-generator to 1,980-MW Revelstoke Dam, on the Columbia River in British Columbia. Civil works and penstock bids are due by Aug. 31.
The British Columbia Utilities Commission issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity, granting the final approval needed for Revelstoke Unit 5, the utility said July 17. The project received an environmental assessment certificate and a Canadian Environmental Assessment Act screening report in June. (HNN 6/12/07)
While the three regulatory approvals allow BC Hydro to begin construction, another approval will be required before the project can begin operation. The targeted in-service date for Unit 5 is October 2010, with a backup date of October 2011.
Estimated capital costs for Unit 5 range from C$280 million to C$350 million (US$264 million to US$330 million).
Solicitation includes option for 500-MW Unit 6
BC Hydro is taking bids by 11 a.m. Aug. 31 (Q6-6325) for construction of the civil works and penstock for addition of the fifth unit. It held a mandatory site visit July 17.
BC Hydro said firms could bid for one or both elements of the tender: construction of civil works, including removal of some concrete, supply and placement of reinforced concrete for the generator, and embedding of turbine parts and related works; and the supply and installation of a steel penstock, connecting it to existing top and bottom penstock sections already on the dam’s face. The labor force to perform the work must be provided by Columbia Hydro Constructors Ltd.
In addition to the Unit 5 work, BC Hydro wants optional pricing for the civil works and penstock for the possible future addition of a sixth turbine-generator. BC Hydro said it reserved the right to include any, or all, of the civil works and penstock work related to the addition of a Unit 6 in the Unit 5 contract, or to tender the work separately.
Tender documents may be inspected at the Office of the Purchasing Manager, Accenture Business Services for Utilities, 19th Floor, 401 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, BC V6B 5A1 Canada. Accenture is a service provider to BC Hydro. Copies of the documents may be obtained for C$57 (US$53.41) by calling (1) 604-694-8523. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
