Three companies have been short-listed to design and build the replacement for the 65-year-old John Hart generating station in Campbell River.
A request for proposals has been sent to each group, chosen from eight submissions, B.C. Hydro said.
The Crown corporation expects to award the contract in summer 2013 and construction will start shortly afterwards.
In Campbell River, the $1-billion project is being welcomed as an economic generator and job provider.
The announcement of the short list came as new figures showed that the value of building intentions in B.C. climbed 27 per cent month-over-month.
Greater Victoria’s permit values were 11 per cent higher in the first five months of the year, compared with the same period in 2011, Statistics Canada data shows.
Total values from January through May were $293 million, up from the same period last year which totalled $263 million, Statistics Canada said Friday.
Municipalities in the capital region handed out $78 million worth of building permits in May, up 41 per cent from April.
Projects under construction in the capital region include the new Oak Bay Beach Hotel, the $1-billion mixed use Capital City Centre in Colwood and the $104 million base for the 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron at Victoria International Airport.
B.C.-wide, permit values for all types of construction rose by 27 per cent, hitting $1 billion in May compared with $858 million in April. Year-over-year, May’s values were up by 36 per cent, Statistics Canada said.
Nationally, $7 billion worth of permits were issued in May, up 7.4 per cent since April and the highest level since May 2007, the agency said.
The John Hart project is contingent on the B.C. Utilities Commission approving an application from Hydro. A decision is expected by spring 2013, Hydro said.
Project costs are estimated between $1 billion and $1.2 billion, although figures will be refined as the process moves along, the agency said. About 400 jobs per year are expected to be created during the five years of construction.
The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, the Vancouver Island Construction Association and the Campbell River and District Chamber of Commerce have worked with Hydro to set up an information portal for companies interested in providing products and services to the bidding teams.
An open house is being held in Campbell River on July 25 for businesses, which must pre-register at cr.majorprojects.ca/ open-house or vicabc.ca.
“This open house will be a significant event in the unfolding John Hart procurement process,” said Rick Roberts, Economic Alliance director.
The short-listed companies are: ? SNC-Lavalin Inc., based in Montreal, and IMPSA, of Argentina.
? Elk Falls Energy Partners, made up of the Ontario Pension Board; Brookfield Financial; Bouygues Travaux Publics;
Fiera Axium Infrastructure; Connor, Clark and Lunn GVest Traditional Infrastructure LP-Gracorp Capital Advisors Ltd.; Bouygues-Graham, Knight Piesold Consulting; and Alstom Power and Transport Canada Inc.
? Salmon River Hydro Partners, consisting of Bilfinger Berger, Acciona, Barnard Construction, Klohn Crippen Berger, Voith Hydro, F and M Installations, HMI Construction and Seimens. cjwilson@timescolonist.com