Construction is officially underway on one of northern British Columbia’s most significant electricity infrastructure projects, with federal and provincial governments projecting that the initiative could contribute nearly $10 billion annually to B.C.’s economy.
The North Coast Transmission Line will connect Prince George to Terrace, near British Columbia’s North Coast, and is expected to more than double the electricity supply available to the region.
The project was referred to the federal Major Projects Office in November 2025 for possible fast-tracking. Once completed, the transmission infrastructure is expected to provide critical power for several major developments planned across northwestern B.C., including the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas facility and mining operations in the province’s Golden Triangle, near the Alaskan border.
The first phase of construction will cover a 165-kilometre section running from Prince George to an area near Fraser Lake.
According to the federal government, the transmission line will serve as “the foundation” for the development of northwestern British Columbia’s natural resources. The provincial government has also highlighted the project’s strategic importance, saying it could help reduce B.C.’s economic dependence on the United States.
Ottawa and the B.C. government estimate that the project will support close to 10,000 direct, full-time jobs once operational, in addition to approximately 1,400 jobs during peak construction.
In July, the federal and provincial governments agreed to commit a combined $3.9 billion to the project. Authorities estimate that the transmission line will also generate around $950 million annually in provincial and municipal revenues.
British Columbia Premier David Eby attended a groundbreaking event in Prince George on Thursday alongside federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson. Eby said the project would help strengthen the province’s position as a key driver of Canada’s economic growth.
“The North Coast Transmission Line is a generational project that will power clean growth and deliver thousands of jobs for families across B.C.,” Eby said in a statement released ahead of the event.
He added that the project would help “make our province the economic engine of a stronger Canada.”
For his part, Hodgson described the initiative as an important step toward Canada taking greater control of its economic and industrial future.
“Canadians and our allies are looking for a strong grid, critical minerals, LNG, and more — and none of that is possible without affordable power,” Hodgson said.
“The North Coast Transmission Line will deliver the clean electricity needed to unlock B.C.’s world-class deposits, power new processing facilities, and secure Canada’s role as a trusted global supplier.”
The project has also received additional financial support through a loan of nearly $140 million from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to BC Hydro. The funding was intended to accelerate preconstruction activities and help expedite the start of construction.
With work now underway, the North Coast Transmission Line is positioned to become a central piece of infrastructure supporting British Columbia’s industrial expansion, clean-energy ambitions and long-term economic development.
