The line will be energized this month with power purchased from BC Hydro to allow for commissioning and testing of electrical components related to the project.

The line is scheduled to be energized March 20, 2010. Contractor Peter Kiewit Sons Co will post signage on road crossings to advise the local community of safety clearances around the transmission line.

Once the East Toba generating units are synchronized to the BC Hydro system, Plutonic Power will begin to use its own energy to complete testing. Commercial operation of East Toba is planned for July, and Montrose is planned for November 2010.

The 196MW Toba Montrose Project is Plutonic Power and GE Energy Financial Services’s run-of-river hydroelectric project, developed in conjunction with First Nations partners, the Klahoose, Sliammon and Sechelt First Nations.

Construction on the project is over 90% complete; main components that remain to be completed include the Montrose Creek penstock and powerhouse, which are currently on-schedule, the company said.