BC Hydro launches major projects in Surrey and Langley including support for SkyTrain expansion

August 21, 2025

RED FM News Desk

In a move to keep pace with rapid development, BC Hydro has started two major infrastructure projects in Surrey and Langley. The upgrades are part of a larger plan to meet the growing demand for electricity and improve reliability in two of B.C.’s fastest-growing communities, while also supporting the upcoming Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension.

The projects will boost substation capacity and enhance the local power grid, delivering clean electricity to tens of thousands of new homes and businesses.

In Langley, work has begun on a two-phase expansion of the McLellan Substation. Once completed, the project will supply clean electricity to an additional 75,000 homes, supporting significant growth across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Phase 1 is set to be finished in 2026, with Phase 2 expected to be in service by 2029.

In Surrey, construction is in progress on the Whalley Substation Feeder Addition Project. This upgrade will add four new feeders, increasing capacity and improving reliability in the Surrey Centre area. The new feeders will provide power to an additional 8,000 to 13,000 homes in Whalley and Guildford, with the project expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2026.

Supporting SkyTrain and Long-Term Growth

As part of its $36 billion capital plan, BC Hydro is also making significant investments to support long-term regional growth, including the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension. Upgrades to the transmission and distribution infrastructure for the new SkyTrain line are expected to be completed by fall 2025, with stations energized by spring 2026.

These include a New Surrey Centre Substation, a Scott Road Substation Redevelopment, and new substations in both Langley and Willoughby. Each of these projects is scheduled to power between 20,000 and 35,000 homes by 2032.

To help new homes and businesses connect to the grid more quickly and affordably, BC Hydro recently updated its Distribution Extension Policy. The changes, effective since July 5, streamline the connection process and reduce costs for developers and homeowners.