Powering the future: Englobe’s role in BC Hydro’s Site C hydroelectric project
At Englobe, our commitment to sustainability and innovation drives everything we do.
As Canada continues its transition toward a low-carbon future, we’re proud to contribute our expertise to projects which make a lasting impact and will power the future achievements and growth of all Canadians. This pride was never more evident than in our work on the BC Hydro’s Site C Clean Energy Project.
Background of the Site C Clean Energy Project
Located on the Peace River in northeastern British Columbia, the Site C project is a massive hydroelectric development. Now that all six generating units are in service, Site C has increased BC Hydro’s total electricity supply by 8%, strengthening energy reliability and supporting the province’s growing demand for clean power.
In measurable terms, the facility now generates more than 1,100 megawatts of electricity - enough to reliably power approximately 500,000 homes, or 1.7 million electric vehicles annually.
The Englobe team’s contributions to the Site C project
Englobe’s involvement in Site C began in 2018. Over the past seven years, our team has dedicated more than 130,000 project hours to this transformative initiative.
Our team’s contributions span a wide range of specialized services. These include:
- Quality management, surveillance, and monitoring across key construction phases such as earthworks, dam construction, and generating units.
- Materials engineering, ensuring the integrity and performance of critical infrastructure.
- Vendor audits and assessments, helping maintain high standards and compliance throughout the project lifecycle. Notably, the team carried out quality control inspections and follow-ups with suppliers in Brazil, Europe, Canada, South Korea and Colombia regarding manufacturing and machining activities for the project’s turbine, generator, and spillway radial gate components.
The Englobe team’s services were instrumental during the manufacturing stage and ensured the safe, efficient, and timely delivery of this major project’s critical components.
Site C has brought together experts from across Canada and abroad, each contributing in their own way to the success of this project. From demanding site conditions to unique technical requirements, Englobe’s Site C team rose to the challenge. We’re proud to have played a role in shaping a cleaner energy future for British Columbia.
said Philippe Gingras, Service Director, Geotechnical, Materials and Environment (GME) for Englobe.
A project that supports regional growth and Indigenous communities
Site C is not only a technical achievement; it is also a catalyst for regional development.
The project has created approximately 13,000 person-years of direct employment and contributed $3.2 billion to provincial GDP, including $130 million to regional GDP. It has also generated $40 million in tax revenues for local governments during construction, with an additional $2 million annually expected from grants-in-lieu and school taxes.
The Site C project has also delivered benefits to Indigenous Nations and communities across British Columbia. The Englobe team’s work supported these outcomes by ensuring construction met rigorous standards and timelines, enabling BC Hydro to fulfill its commitments to stakeholders.
I am very proud of our team's contributions to the success of this major project, with our involvement in quality surveillance with international suppliers since 2018, as well as our onsite presence during the commissioning of the production units.
added Benoit Nadeau, Senior Operations Director (Quality Manufacturing), Materials at Englobe.
Site C’s final milestones
Construction on Site C began in 2015. The first generating unit came online in October 2024, with subsequent units progressively brought into service. The final generating unit was commissioned in August 2025, marking the project’s full operational status.
Some relatively minor construction work remains, and Englobe’s involvement is expected to continue into 2026, until project completion.
A model for sustainable infrastructure
BC Hydro’s Site C project exemplifies the kind of infrastructure Canada needs to meet its climate targets. Hydroelectricity is one of the cleanest and most reliable forms of energy. The Site C complex will produce approximately 5,100 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, with among the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per gigawatt hour compared to other resource options.
As the third hydroelectric project on the Peace River, the Site C facility takes full advantage of existing infrastructure. It uses water already stored in the Williston Reservoir, allowing it to generate 35% of the energy produced at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam with just 5% of the reservoir area.
Providing clean energy for future generations
As Site C is now fully operational, we are proud of the hard work, expertise, and commitment to excellence of our Englobe team’s dedicated professionals, who have helped bring one of Canada’s most significant clean energy projects to life.
Our involvement reflects Englobe’s broader mission: to apply technical expertise in ways that support environmental stewardship, community well-being, and long-term resilience. Whether through materials testing, environmental consulting, or construction and manufacturing oversight, we bring a holistic approach to every project we undertake.
Our team looks forward to continuing our support for sustainable infrastructure across the country and putting our expertise and innovative approach to work to build a future powered by clean energy.
Learn more about one Englobe team member’s work experience on the Site C project: Brianna McGrath: a young engineer-in-training spreads her wings
Photo credit for the image header : BC Hydro