DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — At the May 2nd Peace River Regional District meeting, representatives from BC Hydro presented the board with details on plans to bring clean energy economic development to British Columbia.
The representative’s topics included industrial electrification, Site C progress, the province’s call for power and BC Hydros’ 10-year capital plan.
BC Hydro Business and Economic Development Manager David De Yagher provided updates on the company’s activities aimed at enhancing opportunities in communities around the province.
BC Hydro’s 2021 electrification plan supports businesses coming to B.C. using clean fuels, such as clean hydrogen developers.
He said the plan seems to be a success, with businesses coming in at an unprecedented pace.
“We must have done a good job because they are here like we have never seen before,” said De Yagher.
De Yagher also explained that the company is looking to enhance its electric infrastructure to attract new customers and improve its business relationships in the province.
He said owners of local industrial sites can sign up on BC Hydro’s website.
“BC Hydro is looking for opportunities in the northeast as to where some industry might be located,” said Chief Administrative Officer Shawn Dahlen.
Bob Gammer, Site C’s Community Relations Manager, provided updates on the company’s progress and objectives for 2024.
The most recent employment report from Site C showed 2,801 people working on the site, an increase of 80 workers in March compared to February.
Gammer also addressed concerns about how they would go about filling the Site C reservoir, saying they expect it to be filled in late summer 2024 and that drought conditions are not slowing their progress.
“We can say with confidence that even with the current and forecast low inflows from the drought, we have enough water to fill the Site C reservoir,” said Gammer.
Site C’s project is on track to achieve first power from Unit 1 by December 2024 and should have all six generating units in service next year.
“We will be completing the project within the approved budget,” said Gammer.
Mike Kellett, Community Relations of Northern B.C. at BC Hydro, says the province’s call for power is one of the most important initiatives BC Hydro is working on, noting it is the first call for power in 15 years.
“The call is structured to ensure B.C. has safe, affordable, clean and renewable energy,” said Kellett.
Since announcing their intention to launch the call for power, Hellett says they have spent the last few months engaging First Nations, independent power producers and stakeholders to help shape the design.
BC Hydro is looking for proponents that can provide 40 to 200 Megawatts and can deliver energy from fall 2028 to fall 2031.
“We are looking for proponents to bid with their best price. We are seeking resources that are clean or renewable,” said Kellet.
According to Kellett, the call will add 3,000 gigawatt hours of electricity per year (five percent of its current supply), enough to power 270,000 homes.
BC Hydro predicts the call will generate between $2.3 billion and $3.6 billion in capital spending, as well as ongoing economic benefits such as the support of 800 to 1,500 jobs on average annually.
Kellett says there will be more calls for power in the coming years, with the next one expected in 2026 and successive calls every two years.
BC Hydro develops a 10-year capital plan annually to quantify the investments required to safely operate the system and meet customers’ electricity demands.
The plan includes $36 billion in infrastructure investments across the province to support communities and reduce emissions.
The investments include $21 billion to sustain existing capital projects, $9.4 billion for electrification or greenhouse emissions reduction, and $5.3 billion to address load growth and increased customer connections.
Kellett says the new plan represents a 50 per cent increase in investments over previous capital plans, reflecting the province’s growing demand for electricity.
“These capital investments will provide thousands of high-quality jobs for skilled workers and generate economic growth for First Nations and communities all over the province,” said Kellett.
During the board’s questioning period, Chetwynd Mayor Allen Courtoreille thanked the province and BC Hydro for acknowledging that they are on Treaty 8 territory.
More information on the industrial electrification, Site C progress, the province’s call for power and the 10-year capital plan can be found on BC Hydro’s website.