Revelstoke generating station unit 6 project

Photo from the air of the Revelstoke dam and the lake behind it. The dam has 6 pies, five of which are completed and the last of which is the focus of this BC Hydro capital project.
An aerial view of Revelstoke Generating Station, where construction of the new Unit 6 expansion is planned.

BC Hydro is adding a sixth generating unit to an existing empty bay at Revelstoke Generating Station. The project will increase electricity generation capacity by about 500 megawatts. That’s enough to power up to 200,000 homes. This addition will help meet growing electricity demand, bring electricity to new areas, and make electricity more reliable during peak demand periods such as cold winter weather.

This project will create hundreds of local jobs. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027 and be completed by the end of 2032.

In-person open house: July 9, 2026
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Come anytime between those hours)
Revelstoke Community Centre, multi-purpose room
600 Campbell Ave
Revelstoke, B.C.

Virtual open house: July 14, 2026
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Email projects@bchydro.com by July 10 to get a link to the event

Past open house: October 6, 2025
See the presentation in the “Project documents” section, on this page.

We’re adding the sixth and final generating unit into an empty bay at Revelstoke Generating Station. Originally designed to house six generating units, only four were installed when the generating station was constructed in 1984. The fifth unit was added in 2010.

This project will include building electrical and mechanical infrastructure, preparing construction and storage areas, installing rock fall fencing, and constructing a new warehouse foundation and related support facilities.

For more detail, see below, in the “Technical information” section on this page.

Adding the sixth generation unit will help to meet the increasing electricity demand in B.C. through clean, renewable energy sources. The project will increase the electricity generation capacity of the dam by about 500 megawatts. That’s enough to power up to 200,000 homes. This addition will help meet electricity demand, bring electricity to new areas, and improve reliability during peak demand periods such as cold winter weather.

The Revelstoke generating station unit 6 project will impact areas around Revelstoke Dam, about 5 km upstream from the City of Revelstoke on the Columbia River. This project lies within the traditional territories of the Syilx Okanagan, the Ktunaxa, and the Secwepemc Nations. Because we’re adding to an existing generating station, and not building a new dam, the impacts will be localized.

There will be increased industrial activity near the dam and Highway 23 corridor. Construction and related traffic may affect local residents, businesses, and recreational users in the Revelstoke area.

This project is expected to create more than 450 person-years of employment, and generate roughly $60 million in local spending on goods, accommodations, transportation, catering, construction support, and services.

Project area map, including major roads and municipalities.
Revelstoke dam, waterways, and major roads through Revelstoke and beyond.

This project is expected to create more than 450 person-years of employment, and generate roughly $60 million in local spending on goods, accommodations, transportation, catering, construction support, and services.

There will be opportunities for local and Indigenous businesses. First preference for employment will be given to local workers.

There will be increased industrial activity near the Revelstoke Dam and Highway 23 corridor. Construction and related traffic may affect local residents, businesses, and recreational users in the Revelstoke area.

For up-to-date information about road closures, visit DriveBC â®º .

Construction will be partially visible from some areas. Properties closest to Highway 23 north of Revelstoke and the existing dam corridor may have limited visibility to the construction and completed upgrades to the generating station.

This project is not expected to negatively impact property values.

We do not anticipate the need for planned power outages. If localized outages are needed, we will let local municipalities, residents, and businesses know ahead of time. You can also check for planned outages on our Power outages page.

Land recreation

We don’t expect substantial impact to nearby recreational areas. Construction noise and industrial traffic may have limited impact. The recreation areas closest to the project area include:

Please check their websites for further information.

Water recreation

The Revelstoke generating station unit 6 project will have some impact on boating and water recreation.

Columbia River, downstream of the dam, will have occasional higher water flows during peak generation periods. Water levels below the dam could rise by up to 0.5 metres during short high-demand periods. This could result in stronger currents and faster changing river conditions for 8 – 15 km downstream of the dam. Kayakers, canoeists, anglers, and jet boat operators should remain aware of water conditions.

Revelstoke Reservoir, above the dam, is expected to stay within existing normal operating range. The timing and frequency of water level fluctuations could change slightly. Recreational users should remain aware of changing water levels.

Project map, including local facilities and attractions.
Revelstoke dam, local roads, and nearby attractions.

View from above of the Revelstoke dam, with the lake behind it,
The Revelstoke dam and lake.
A group of workers clad in orange overalls and hard hats, standing on the concrete dam at the bottom of several very large pipes laid against the slope of the Revelstoke dam.
Pipes that feed the turbines.
Several dozen workers easing a turbine component into place, in the Revelstoke generating station during installation of unit 5.
Assembling the unit 5 turbine.

This project is not currently accepting job applications. To get updates sent to you, sign up for email updates at the bottom of this page.

When available, you can find and apply for jobs through our website. Learn more about BC Hydro careers.

For the Revelstoke generating station unit 6 project, we’ll hire construction tradespersons, operators, labourers, technicians, administration staff and supervisors. Most workers will be hired under the Columbia Hydro Constructors Agreement.

This union agreement:

  • gives first preference to workers living within a 100 km of the project site; it gives second preference to those living in the Columbia basin.
  • has hiring provisions for qualified workers who are First Nations.
  • has hiring provisions for qualified workers who are women in non-traditional roles, visible minorities, and/or disabled.

We’re working with major employers, educational institutions, and economic development agencies to recruit and train workers. We’ll provide a financial contribution to support project-related training.

Employment opportunities will be available for:

  • BC Hydro apprentices.
  • BC Hydro staff.
  • boiler makers.
  • carpenters.
  • cement masons.
  • communication, protection and control (CPC) technologists.
  • contractor’s staff.
  • crane operators.
  • electricians.
  • equipment operators.
  • iron workers.
  • labourers.
  • machinists.
  • metal workers.
  • millwrights.
  • painters.
  • pipe fitters.
  • winders.
  • other miscellaneous employment opportunities.

This project is not currently accepting business applications or bids. To get updates sent to you, sign up for email updates at the bottom of this page.

When available, you can find and apply for business opportunities through BC Bid â®º . Learn more about BC Hydro’s bid opportunities.

Construction will be completed by independent contractors through several large contracts awarded according to BC Hydro’s procurement policies. Many goods and services will be supplied, at least in part, by local and First Nations owned and operated enterprises.

We’re working with suppliers to identify how we can increase the involvement of local businesses. We also worked with First Nations to develop a First Nations training, employment and procurement plan.

Business opportunities will be available to provide these goods and services:

  • accommodation.
  • aggregates.
  • avalanche monitoring and risk reduction.
  • building supplies (miscellaneous).
  • busing, trucking and other transportation.
  • catering services.
  • concrete.
  • construction management and engineering.
  • crane inspection and testing.
  • electrical services (miscellaneous).
  • equipment rentals (miscellanours).
  • excavation services.
  • first aid.
  • grocery store.
  • ground penetrating radar scanning.
  • paving and asphalt repairs.
  • plumbing services (miscellaneous).
  • restaurant.
  • safety equipment and consulting.
  • security services.
  • snow removal.
  • surveying services.
  • vegetation removal.
  • waste water removal.
  • water treatment services.

The Revelstoke generating station unit 6 project has completed its environmental assessment process â®º .

Construction activities will primarily take place within the existing facility footprint. Environmental impact will be minimal because:

  • The dam already exists.
  • The reservoir already exists.
  • The powerhouse was originally designed for six units.
  • No new flooding or reservoir expansion is required.

Construction may temporarily affect wildlife movement, vegetation, local habits near work areas, and noise-sensitive species.

In consultation with First Nations and local and provincial governments, we’ll continue to implement environmental management plans and assessments as the project continues.

See Environmental Assessment Office documents below, in the “Project documents” section of this page.

First Nations engagement and consultation

BC Hydro is committed to meaningful First Nations consultation.

First Nations consultation has been ongoing since project initiation. Consultation and engagement will continue throughout the project lifecycle.

Public engagement and consultation

Learn more about this project and ask questions at an upcoming open house. Topics discussed in previous open houses included:

  • employment and worker housing.
  • procurement and construction process.
  • First Nations interests.
  • environmental management plans and changes in downstream dam flows.

In-person open house: July 9, 2026
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Come anytime between those hours)
Revelstoke Community Centre, multi-purpose room
600 Campbell Ave
Revelstoke, B.C.

Virtual open house: July 14, 2026
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Email projects@bchydro.com by July 10 to get a link to the event

Past open house: October 6, 2025
See the presentation in the “Project documents” section, on this page.

See documents about engagement and consultation below, in the “Project documents” section of this page.

The Revelstoke generating station unit 6 project adds a new turbine and generator inside the existing powerhouse, completing the original six-unit design. The project uses a vertical-shaft Francis turbine, similar to the existing units, which is well suited to the high-flow, high-head conditions of the Columbia River at Revelstoke. Most of the major infrastructure is already in place, so the work focuses on installing mechanical and electrical equipment within the existing structure rather than building a new dam or powerhouse.

A new steel penstock, about 7.9 metres in diameter, will carry water from the intake to the new turbine. The system is designed to integrate with the existing flow pathways, increasing the station’s maximum discharge capacity from about 90,000 cubic feet per second to about 93,000 cubic feet per second. This allows the facility to generate more electricity during periods of high river flow, with high-flow operations expected to occur more frequently under the expanded operating range.

The addition of unit 6 increases overall generating capacity by about 500 megawatts, bringing the station to nearly 3,000 megawatts in total output. The project also includes upgrades to electrical infrastructure to connect the new unit to the grid, including a new capacitor station to support voltage stability.

The Revelstoke dam is one of three BC Hydro dams on the Columbia River. Others include:

If you have questions or comments about this project, please contact us. We’ll respond within four business days.

Email: projects@bchydro.com.

Toll free: 1 866 647 3334.

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