FortisBC expansion benefiting local community

FortisBC has issued a statement claiming that aboriginal and local businesses and trade workers located across Metro Vancouver communities in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada, are “reaping the benefits” from the expansion of the FortisBC Tilbury LNG project in Delta.

According to FortisBC, since construction on the Tilbury LNG expansion began in October 2014, the project has generated $60 million in local contractor spending. More than 300 workers are currently working on the construction project and 870 tradespeople are registered to work on the project.

Michael Mulcahy, President & CEO of FortisBC, said: “At FortisBC, we’re committed to providing job and business opportunities for local and Aboriginal workers and companies on our major projects […] The expansion of the Tilbury LNG facility will result in increased LNG supply for our industrial users and remote communities, while bringing economic development and new jobs to B.C.” 

Through FortisBC’s contract with Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) Construction/Matcon Civil Joint Venture (TMJV) for civil construction and environmental services, TMJV has also provided 25 employment and training programmes and more than 625 hours of training to workers in conjunction with the project, including a work experience programme to prepare young workers for jobs in the LNG industry.

Ron Amos, President, Matcon Civil Constructors Inc., said: “We are very proud of our work on FortisBC’s Tilbury LNG expansion project and our long-standing business partnership with Tsawwassen First Nation Construction […] The project provided us with an important opportunity to showcase not only our expertise in civil construction, but also our unparalleled commitments to employee development, engagement with First Nation communities and individuals, and external relationship management.”

More than 140 locally owned businesses have been contracted to work on the project to date. Mayor Lois E. Jackson said: “FortisBC has earned the reputation of being a great corporate citizen in our community […] This Fortis LNG plant has had an excellent safety track record since 1971 and has continued to positively contribute to our local economy by creating well-paying job opportunities for Delta and B.C. residents and businesses. Congratulations FortisBC and thank you!”

FortisBC’s expansion project includes construction of a new LNG storage tank, additional liquefaction and LNG truck loading equipment. The company expects the expanded facility to be operational by late 2016 or early 2017.

Minister of Natural Gas Development, Rich Coleman, added: “FortisBC’s investments are helping our energy sector grow and compete both domestically and globally […] The benefits of the Tilbury LNG expansion are significant, supporting local contract work today and opening the doorway to a stronger economic future tomorrow.”

If a recently announced agreement to supply 800 000 tpy of LNG to Hawaiian Electric moves forward, a further expansion of the Tilbury LNG porject would be required. Pending finalisation of the agreement and regulatory approvals in B.C. and Hawaii, Fortis would construct additional liquefaction equipment and a new LNG storage tank at the Tilbury facility.

Edited from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/14062016/fortisbc-expansion-benefitting-local-community-2595/