Enbridge $2.9B BC natural gas pipeline expansion gets Federal approval 

Enbridge (TSX, NYSE: ENB) announced Friday that the Canadian Government has approved the Sunrise Expansion Program, a C$4 billion ($2.9bn) natural gas expansion of Enbridge’s Westcoast pipeline system in British Columbia (BC). 

The project is an essential energy infrastructure project that has been found to be in the public interest, the company said.  

Sunrise Expansion is designed to add approximately 300 million cubic feet per day of natural gas transportation capacity to the southern portion of the Westcoast pipeline system.  

Once in service, the added natural gas transportation capacity is expected to strengthen energy security and affordability by supporting access to natural gas during periods of peak demand.  

Natural gas transported on the Westcoast system is used to heat homes, hospitals, businesses, and schools. It also supports electric power generation, industrial activity across BC and global LNG exports. 

Expected to contribute more than C$3 billion to Canada’s economy, the project will involve the hiring of approximately 2,500 workers during construction, including workers from local communities and Indigenous groups. To date, more than C$52 million has been spent on the hiring and procuring of services from Indigenous businesses, Enbridge said. 

“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,” Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel said in a news release. 

The project will include the construction of new pipeline segments along the existing system, additional natural gas compression, and upgrades and modifications to existing facilities. 

“Our commitment to Canadians was to get projects approved and built – and with today’s approval of the Sunrise Expansion Program, we’re doing just that. This project will enable us to heat more homes, businesses, hospitals, and schools, while bolstering British Columbian industry, including for LNG, and creating thousands of jobs,” Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson said. 

“It is proof that, in partnership with industry and Indigenous partners, we can strengthen energy security and price stability and create new international trade opportunities, while meeting rigorous environmental and safety standards,” Hodgson said. This is what being an energy superpower looks like.”  

Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026, with a targeted in-service date in late 2028.