The Canadian Government has approved Enbridge’s CAD 4-billion (USD 2.9 billion) Sunrise Expansion Program to increase natural gas transport capacity over the Westcoast Pipeline system in British Columbia, Enbridge announced on Friday.
The project will add 8.5 mcm (300 mcf) of transportation capacity to the southern portion of the Westcoast Pipeline system, which delivers gas for power generation and industrial customers, as well as to liquefaction facilities for export as LNG.
Enbridge’s Westcoast Pipeline carries up to 102 mcm (3.6 bcf) per day over a network covering more than 2,900 kilometres between Fort Nelson in British Columbia and Gordondale in Alberta to the Huntingdon-Sumas border crossing into the US.
Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026, with the project expected to come on stream in late 2028. Planned works include the construction of new pipeline segments along the existing system, the incorporation of new compression facilities and general upgrades.
“The multi-billion-dollar Sunrise Expansion Program is a shovel-ready, critical natural gas infrastructure project that supports the advancement of Canada’s energy superpower ambitions,” said Enbridge president and CEO Greg Ebel.
The company will procure pipe from Canadian energy tubulars manufacturer InterPro Pipe + Steel.
Headquartered in Calgary and listed in Toronto and New York, Enbridge operates natural gas, oil and renewable power networks in North America, and is developing hydrogen and CCS assets. The company also holds a portfolio of offshore wind projects in Europe.