As 2023 draws to a close, British Columbia stands on the brink of a transformative era. The last year has been bustling with construction efforts, essential for supporting the region’s expanding population and economy. These projects have laid a solid groundwork for what’s to come. As we step into 2024, the construction sector in British Columbia is gearing up for a remarkable boom. This piece highlights the most eagerly awaited construction projects that are currently in the pipeline, as reported by ConstructConnect.
10) Sasquatch Mountain Resort – Master Plan
Asset Owner/Developer: Sts’ailes First Nation
Location: Agassiz
Current Stage: Schematic Design
Budget: $2.5B
The Sasquatch Mountain Resort Master Plan is a comprehensive project aimed at transforming the resort into a major four-season destination in the Fraser Valley. The plan involves a significant expansion of the resort’s facilities and offerings, transitioning from its current modest setup to a larger, more diverse operation. It includes increasing the number of ski lifts to 23 and expanding the trails to 283 over 1,255.6 hectares of terrain, aiming to boost visitor capacity significantly. This $2.5 billion project also envisions the development of village-based amenities like dining, retail, and leisure facilities. The plan will be executed in multiple phases, each requiring specific approvals and addressing various challenges such as infrastructure development and environmental sensitivity.
9) Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project
Asset Owner/Developer: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Location: Delta
Current Stage: Schematic Design
Budget: $2.5B
The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project is a significant expansion plan for the Roberts Bank port facility located near Vancouver, Canada. This project aims to address the increasing demand for container shipping capacity in the Pacific Northwest. It involves the construction of a new three-berth container terminal on a man-made island, effectively doubling the port’s current capacity.
8) Cedar LNG Marine Jetty Project
Asset Owner/Developer: Cedar LNG
Location: Kitimat
Current Stage: Schematic Design
Budget: $3B
The Cedar LNG project is a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in British Columbia, Canada, primarily led by the Haisla Nation in partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corporation. This project is unique as it represents one of the few Indigenous-led LNG initiatives in the country. Planned to be located near Kitimat, on Haisla Nation-owned land, the Cedar LNG project aims to utilize natural gas from BC’s abundant resources. The facility is designed to have a minimal environmental footprint, leveraging the latest technology to ensure sustainable and efficient operations. Once completed, it is expected to have a significant economic impact, providing job opportunities and long-term revenue for the Haisla Nation and contributing to Canada’s growing LNG export market.
7) Garibaldi at Squamish Ski Resort
Asset Owner/Developer: Aquilini Development and Construction
Location: Squamish
Current Stage: Pre-Design
Budget: $3.5B
The Garibaldi at Squamish Ski Resort project is an ambitious and large-scale development initiative situated in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. Envisioned as a world-class destination, this proposed resort aims to transform the Squamish region into a premier hub for winter sports and outdoor recreation. The project includes plans for an extensive network of ski runs, accommodating skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, alongside state-of-the-art lifts and gondolas designed for optimal access and minimal environmental impact.
6) Kitsault Energy LNG Project
Asset Owner/Developer: Kitsault Energy
Location: Smithers
Current Stage: Pre-Design
Budget: $5B
The Kitsault Energy LNG Project is a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) development located near Kitsault, British Columbia, Canada. This project aims to leverage the abundant natural gas resources of the region, converting them into LNG for export to international markets, primarily in Asia. The project involves the construction of a gas liquefaction plant, storage facilities, and a marine terminal for loading LNG onto ships.
5) Woodfibre LNG Project
Asset Owner/Developer: Enbridge Inc.
Location: Squamish
Current Stage: Construction Documents
Budget: $5.1B
The Woodfibre LNG Project is a significant initiative to establish a liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing and export facility in the district of Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. Situated at the former Woodfibre pulp mill site, approximately 7 kilometers southwest of Squamish, the project aims to repurpose existing industrial land for sustainable energy development. The proposed facility is designed to liquefy and export LNG, primarily targeting Asian markets. It involves the construction of a gas treatment plant, storage tanks, and a shipping terminal to load LNG onto ocean-going vessels.
4) Prince Rupert Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline
Asset Owner/Developer: TC Energy
Location: Hudson’s Hope
Current Stage: Design Development
Budget: $6B
The Prince Rupert Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline is a proposed infrastructure project in British Columbia, Canada, designed to transport natural gas from the northeastern part of the province to the Pacific NorthWest LNG facility near Prince Rupert. This pipeline, approximately 900 kilometers in length, aims to support the growing LNG export market by providing a crucial link between gas producers in the Montney gas-producing region and the LNG export terminal on the West Coast. The project involves the construction of a large-diameter underground pipeline traversing a variety of terrains, including forests, mountains, and river crossings.
3) Ksi Lisims LNG Project
Asset Owner/Developer: Nisga’a Lisims Government
Location: Nisga’a
Current Stage: Pre-Design
Budget: $10B
The Ksi Lisims LNG Project, situated on the north coast of British Columbia, Canada, is a significant endeavor to develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility. This project is a collaboration between the Nisga’a Nation, Rockies LNG, and Western LNG. What sets it apart is its location at the Nasoga Gulf, a site chosen for its deep-water access and minimal environmental impact. The project aims to produce approximately 12 million tonnes of LNG per year, capitalizing on the abundant natural gas resources of Western Canada.
2) Pacific Future Energy Refinery Project
Asset Owner/Developer: Pacific Future Energy
Location: Terrace
Current Stage: Pre-Design
Budget: $12B
The Pacific Future Energy Refinery Project is a visionary initiative aimed at establishing the world’s greenest refinery on the north coast of British Columbia, Canada. This ambitious project seeks to refine bitumen from Alberta’s oil sands into diesel, gasoline, and other products, but with a groundbreaking approach to environmental sustainability. One of the project’s key features is its commitment to near-zero net carbon emissions, leveraging advanced technologies in carbon capture and renewable energy. The refinery design incorporates First Nations’ input, ensuring that it aligns with the environmental, economic, and social values of the indigenous communities. With a proposed capacity to process up to 200,000 barrels of bitumen per day, the project aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact typically associated with oil refining. Additionally, it promises considerable economic benefits, including job creation and enhanced energy security for Canada, while setting a new standard for environmentally responsible resource development.
1) Kitimat Clean Refinery
Asset Owner/Developer: Kitimat Clean Ltd
Location: Kitimat
Current Stage: Pre-Design
Budget: $22B
The Kitimat Clean Refinery is an ambitious project proposed in British Columbia, Canada, aiming to revolutionize the traditional oil refining process with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. It is designed to be one of the world’s cleanest refineries, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional refineries. The project focuses on processing Alberta’s diluted bitumen into fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel while utilizing modern technologies to minimize its carbon footprint. Additionally, the refinery plans to implement carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which will trap the majority of the CO2 produced during the refining process.