Ottawa is greenlighting Enbridge’s Sunrise Expansion project in British Columbia less than two years after the company submitted its application to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). 

The expansion provides an additional 300 million cubic feet per day of transportation capacity, representing an increase of about 20 per cent to the existing 1.6 billion cubic feet per day T-South system.

The project consists of 139 km of new pipeline and 11 looping segments installed along the existing right-of-way.

It also includes new compressors at existing compressor stations along the route. 

Enbridge affiliate Westcoast Energy Limited says the project responds to demand for additional natural gas transportation capacity in B.C.’s Lower Mainland. 

The company operates a wider transmission system that transports processed natural gas throughout B.C., Alberta, and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. 

The gas is used for residential and commercial heating, and as fuel for electric power generation. 

The CER recommended approval of the proposed project in late January.

The expansion brings more gas into the area and could eventually help supply the proposed Woodfibre LNG export facility in which Enbridge holds a 30 per cent stake. That facility is currently under construction and could become operational by 2027.

In a press release, Natural Resources Canada notes the project could help meet natural gas demand in Asian markets, and is anticipated to generate $700 million in federal and provincial tax revenues.

Construction on the expansion system could begin this spring, and the additional capacity could come online by 2028.