FortisBC, a leading Canadian natural gas and energy utility, has filed an environmental assessment (EA) application with the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO) for the proposed expansion of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on Tilbury Island. This marks a significant step in the Tilbury Phase 2 LNG expansion project, which now enters a 180-day review period. During this time, the BC EAO will consult with Indigenous communities, experts, and the public to determine whether the application contains adequate information to assess the project’s potential environmental and social impacts.

The proposed expansion aims to significantly enhance the facility’s capacity and infrastructure. Key features include the construction and operation of a new LNG storage tank with a working volume of up to 142,400 cubic meters, increasing the facility’s current storage capacity by approximately 2.5 times. Additionally, new liquefaction facilities capable of producing up to 7,700 tonnes of LNG per day—or 2.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa)—will be installed, along with natural gas receiving facilities and supporting infrastructure. These enhancements will enable the facility to meet growing demand for LNG, particularly as a lower-carbon fuel alternative in markets such as marine transportation.

Since its inception in 1971, the existing Tilbury LNG facility has played a crucial role in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. It serves as a key asset in the region’s gas system, producing and storing LNG to meet peak demand during periods such as cold winter days. With the planned expansion, FortisBC seeks to bolster the system’s resilience and reliability while addressing emerging energy demands.

“The proposed expansion of our Tilbury LNG facility is essential to help improve the resilience of our gas system and to ensure we can continue providing customers with gas during peak demand and in emergency situations,” FortisBC stated. The company emphasized that LNG produced at Tilbury is already among the lowest in carbon intensity globally and reiterated its commitment to making the project net-zero by 2030.

Construction for the Phase 2 expansion is scheduled to begin in 2026, pending regulatory approvals, with completion targeted for 2028. This expansion follows the earlier Phase 1A, commissioned in 2018, which added a 46,000 cubic meter storage tank and liquefaction capacity of 0.25 mtpa. Phase 1B, currently underway, aims to further increase liquefaction capacity by up to 0.65 mtpa to meet rising demand for LNG as a marine fuel.

The Tilbury Phase 2 project highlights FortisBC’s dedication to supporting the energy transition through sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions while enhancing the province’s energy infrastructure to meet future needs.