Cargill Limited | Power System Upgrade Project

January 6, 2017

Project status

Permit issued

On June 14, 2017, a project permit was issued to Cargill Limited for the Power System Upgrade Project at 801 Low Level Road, in North Vancouver, British Columbia on federal lands managed by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

The project was approved subject to 41 permit conditions Cargill Limited must meet to ensure the project does not result in significant adverse environmental effects.

Construction is anticipated to begin in July 2017 and be completed by December 2018. For more information about the project and construction activities, please go to Cargill Limited’s website.

About the project

Cargill Limited proposes to construct a new enclosed 69kV substation building which will accept a new 69kV transmission tap connection from BC Hydro. This connection will provide power to the plant’s four new 12.47kV unit substations, which in turn will provide power to the existing motor control centres. The primary purpose of the project is to upgrade the existing equipment, provide a safer working environment for on-site personnel, increase efficiency by reducing electrical losses, and lower environmental impact by utilizing modern equipment design (polychlorinated biphenyl-free transformers). The existing electrical system at the Cargill Grain handling terminal dates back to the 1960’s and is nearing the end of its service life. The existing substation, located approximately 225 m to the west of the proposed substation, will be dismantled.

Proposed project activities and components include:

Construction Activities:

Construction of a new 69 kV transmission tap from BC Hydro’s line to a new substation to be situated on-site. Transmission line will travel overhead and will free-span across a CN Rail Right-of-Way.
Construction of a new 69 kV/12.47 kV Substation enclosed in a single-storey building (without basement) measuring 18.2 m (wide) x 18.2 m (long) x 8.4 m (high); Building cladding and colour to be white and grey with Cargill green accents. Foundation preparation specifics to include:
- Utilization of soil densification and insertion of stone columns via vibro-replacement to an approximate depth of 18.2 m over approximately 3 weeks;
- Placement of a concrete raft slab, with a maximum excavation depth of approximately 4 m;
Construction of approximately 90 m of duct bank in a backfilled trench measuring approximately 2 m (deep) x 2 m (wide).
Construction of four new 12.47kV/600V Unit Substations, by constructing one new electrical room and modifying three existing electrical rooms.
Installation of new cable feeds from the new Unit Substations to the plant’s existing Motor Control Centres located in various electrical rooms within the plant.
Construction of approximately 720 m² of new paving.

Deconstruction Activities

Decommissioning and dismantling of the existing 69 kV switchyard, including:
- Removal of substation concrete foundations;
- Removal of subsurface concrete piles to a minimum depth of 2.0 m below existing surface elevation;

Removal of the redundant Hydro electrical utility poles and associated infrastructure.

Utilities, Lighting, and Logistics

Installation of associated exterior and interior lighting systems, including 8 new exterior LED fixtures on the substation at a height of approximately 6.5 m;
Provision of traffic management services to assist trucks entering and leaving the site as required;
Tie-in to the existing storm sewer.

Please note that all dimensions and quantities are approximate. Construction is expected to take approximately 19 months.

Resources

Contact information

To learn more about Cargill Limited’s project and construction activities, please go to their website or contact Darrell Mauthe by email or phone at 204-947-6493

For questions regarding the Project and Environmental Review process, please contact us by email or phone at 604.665.9047.