Brandywine Creek - Operating

Brandywine Creek flows into the Cheakamus River about 15 kilometres south of Whistler, BC. Creek water is diverted into a three-metre high concrete weir built at 822 metres of elevation. From there, the water flows through a 4.4 kilometre penstock (the pipe that carries water from the intake) to the powerhouse, falling 282 metres along the way. After the water has run through the powerhouse, it is returned to the stream.

The 7.6 MW facility has been fully functional since 2005. This EcoLogo© certified facility produces approximately 38,000-42,000 MW of electricity annually - enough to offset approximately 33,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, which is equivalent to eliminating emissions produced by a conventional coal or oil plant providing the same energy output.

The project is upstream of Brandywine Falls, which create an impassible fish barrier, so there are no fish within the diversion reach.

A 20-year Energy Purchase Agreement was signed with BC Hydro in response to ROR Power's bid to provide power to BC Hydro's 2001 Call for Green Energy Projects.

The Brandywine Creek project was built within one year and within budget. Development took place in consultation with the Lil'Wat and Squamish Nations, recreational users including kayakers, all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts and snowmobilers.