KCB and AtkinsRéalis Receive Two ACEC-BC Engineering Awards for Site C Clean Energy Project
May 26, 2025
KCB is proud to share that the Site C Clean Energy Project has been awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Engineering Excellence and the Award of Excellence in the Energy & Industry category by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of British Columbia (ACEC-BC).
Located on the Peace River in northeastern British Columbia, the Site C Clean Energy Project is the third dam and hydroelectric generating station on the river. This world-class project is a major step forward in supporting British Columbia’s long-term energy needs through clean, renewable power.
KCB and AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin) formed a joint engineering team to provide the multidisciplinary expertise required to design and construct the Site C project. As the prime design consultants, the team was responsible for the design of several critical dam site components, including:
- Earthfill dam
- Diversion tunnels
- Approach channel
- Drainage tunnels
- Power intakes
- Penstocks
- Generating station
- Spillways
All components were designed and constructed in compliance with industry guidelines and best practices, with a strong emphasis on safety, sustainability, and long-term performance. Site C will provide 1,100 megawatts (MW) of capacity and generate approximately 5,100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity annually, enough to power 450,000 homes or 1.7 million electric vehicles. This represents an 8% increase in BC Hydro’s energy supply and plays a vital role in the province’s clean energy future.
From the outset, safety-by-design was a guiding principle, with the project integrating comprehensive measures to protect construction workers, future operators, the public, and the environment. This focus on safety extended across all project phases and into long-term operations. Collaboration and community engagement were also key to the project’s success. Supported by BC Hydro, KCB and AtkinsRéalis participated in meaningful consultation with First Nations and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. These efforts ensured transparency, built trust, and strengthened community relationships.
We congratulate and thank everyone at KCB, AtkinsRéalis, and BC Hydro who contributed to this landmark achievement. The Site C Clean Energy Project stands as a testament to the power of engineering, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building a sustainable energy future.