PRINCE GEORGE — The path toward a net-zero industrial corridor in the Northwest reached a critical milestone Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as the provincial government and BC Hydro formalized a massive electrification agreement with Ksi Lisims LNG.
Signed during a ceremony at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines the delivery of up to 600 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity to the proposed floating LNG facility on Nisga’a Treaty Lands. The deal is the primary catalyst needed for the project to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) and provides the “major customer” justification for the province’s $6-billion North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL).
The Net-Zero Competitive Advantage
Unlike traditional energy projects, the Ksi Lisims LNG facility is mandated to be net-zero ready by 2030. By connecting to BC Hydro’s renewable grid, the project aims to produce the “world’s lowest-emission LNG,” a status Premier David Eby describes as a major competitive advantage in a global market increasingly sensitive to carbon intensity.
“This MOU gives us the clarity we need to advance toward producing low-emission LNG while reflecting the Nisga’a Nation’s commitment to environment-led development,” said Nisga’a Nation President Eva Clayton.
Powering the “Golden Triangle”
The agreement serves as a technical anchor for the NCTL, a 450-kilometre twinning of the existing 500-kilovolt transmission line between Prince George and Terrace. Construction on the line is slated to begin in Summer 2026, with a phased completion targeted for 2030.
Infrastructure Metric: The Northwest Impact
| Component | Value / Impact Description |
| Facility Power Demand | 600 MW of clean electricity |
| Total Estimated Investment | Approximately $30 Billion |
| Employment Generation | 9,700 direct full-time jobs (regional total) |
| GDP Contribution | Estimated $10 Billion annually |
| Public Revenue | $950 Million/year for provincial & municipal govts |
A “Nationally Significant” Pivot
The federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has officially designated both the NCTL and the Ksi Lisims facility as “nationally significant,” fast-tracking them through the Major Projects Office.
The move follows Premier Eby’s recent trade mission to India, where he confirmed “profound interest” from global buyers like IndianOil in B.C.’s wood products, propane, and low-carbon LNG. By securing a clean power source now, the province is positioning the Skeena-Stikine corridor as the primary gateway for sustainable energy exports to Asia.
BC Hydro CEO Charlotte Mitha noted that while Ksi Lisims is the “anchor tenant,” the expanded line will more than double the region’s capacity, eventually unlocking billions in shovel-ready mining and port projects across the North Coast and the resource-rich Golden Triangle.
