CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA September 14, 2020 – On behalf of Valard Construction LP (Valard), I am excited to announce that the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line (located south of Merritt in the Nicola Valley, British Columbia) was successfully energized on August 31st, 2020! With this milestone, Valard and the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. (LNIBDC) will begin operating and maintaining the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line, as partners.
The 138-kV transmission line connects to BC Hydro’s distribution line to provide additional power to Trans Mountain’s existing Kingsvale pump station, as well as to a new Kingsvale pump station, as part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
Stuart Jackson, Chair of LNIBDC - “We are excited about the energization of this transmission line – it marks an important step towards this project being the first electricity transmission line to be majority-owned, operated, maintained and financed by an Indigenous group in Canada. We look forward to the economic benefits this project provides as well as continuing to build a relationship with Trans Mountain and our partner Valard that is based upon on trust, respect and teamwork.”
Ian Anderson, President and CEO of Trans Mountain - “We are very proud of this milestone for LNIBDC, Valard and Trans Mountain. This has been a very unique partnership, and LNIBDC will benefit tremendously through the operation and maintenance of the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line. As we move forward with the Expansion Project, we are proud to be creating partnerships for Indigenous communities and are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we build and operate.”
I would like to congratulate and thank each and every employee, contractor and partner that contributed to the safe and successful completion of this project! We cherish the relationships we form on all of our projects, but we’re especially pleased with the one we have with LNIBDC and we plan to cultivate and grow it well into the future.
Barkley Adams, President & CEO, Valard Group of Companies
ABOUT VALARD CONSTRUCTION
Valard Construction, a Quanta Services company, is Canada’s premier utility contractor, as well as head of the Valard Group of Companies. Valard has full-service capabilities for transmission, distribution, substations, foundations, telecommunications and renewable energy. Serving clients across the country, Valard has distinguished itself in environmental responsibility and community stewardship. We provide comprehensive EPC+ (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) and maintenance services to utilities, independent power producers, mining, oil and gas industries, and rural electric associations throughout all Canadian provinces and territories and abroad. Since 1979, we've delivered projects safely, on time and on budget. We have the experience, knowledge and resources to take on any utility project, any size, any complexity, any place. For more information, visit www.valard.com.
Valard Contact:
Carrie Willemsen, Communications/Marketing Manager
Valard Construction
cwillemsen@valard.com, 403-279-1003
LNIBDC Contact:
Don Gossoo, General Manager
LNIB Development Corporation
250-315-9277