Powered by the River

From Flow to Glow

The clean power generated by the Mamquam Atlantic Power Plant starts its journey in this river — but how does it get to your home?

First, the electricity flows from the plant into BC Hydro’s big regional power grid. To travel long distances without losing energy, it moves along thick transmission lines at very high voltage — think of it like a super-fast highway for electricity.

When it gets close to Squamish, special stations called substations step down the voltage to safer levels for everyday use. From there, the electricity travels along smaller local power lines that deliver it directly to homes and businesses.

This seamless journey from river to socket highlights the efficiency of hydroelectric power and its integral role in daily life.