Two companies have entered energy purchase agreements with BC Hydro to build two run-of-river power projects in Squamish, according to a Wednesday (March 31) BC Hydro press release.

Run of River Power Inc. intends to build a 25-megawatt facility on Skookum Creek, a tributary to the Mamquam River. And EN-MAX Syntaris Bid Corp. have plans for a 15-megawatt facility on Culliton Creek just upstream from the Big Orange Bridge.

Run of River Power (ROR) is a subsidiary of Northwest Cascade Power Ltd., according to a March 2009 company document. Two years ago, the province denied Northwest Cascade Power permission to make way for a proposed Independent Power Project (IPP) on the Upper Pitt River by cutting a swath through four kilometres of the northern tip of Pinecone Provincial Park into the Cheekye substation.

The Skookum Creek proposal also borders a park, Garibaldi Provincial Park, however detailed plans for the project were not available by press time.

“ROR Power will begin the development phase, which involves working with provincial and federal permitting and approval agencies, local communities as well as continuing discussions with its First Nations partners,” states a company news release.

Jako Krushnisky, who presented the defeated Upper Pitt River project, said Run of River Inc. is pleased the Skookum Creek project can “be a part of BC’s emerging leadership in clean, renewable power.”

The EN-MAX Syntaris Bid Corp. Culliton Creek proposal will include a possible new transmission from the project powerhouse for tie-in at the existing BC Hydro line along the Paradise Valley Road to a buried penstock leading to a single powerhouse, according to project descriptions. Flows from the powerhouse will be returned to the creek upstream of the Highway 99 bridge crossing, also known as Big Orange Bridge.

However other transmission lines are under consideration that have a lower impact than the northern line displayed, states the company’s website. The company expects to be able to finalize a transmission line in summer 2010.

A representative said the company has met with numerous stakeholders including the Squamish River Watershed Society, Streamkeepers and the North Vancouver Outdoor School. Plans to meet with more local groups are underway as is a public open house.