As the province grapples with the consequences of climate change and drought, B.C. Hydro is putting out a “competitive call for power” in an effort to generate more electricity in coming years.
The utility company says it needs to bring in about an extra 3,000 gigawatt hours per year, the equivalent of enough power to service 270,000 homes, starting as soon as fall 2028.
B.C. Hydro says it’s seeing historic system use, which is expected to grow by 15 per cent by 2030. The past 15 years of use have been fairly steady, according to the utility’s data.
It says the growing demand for power is coming from population growth, industrial development, electric vehicles, heat pumps and an increase in people working from home.
“New sources of electricity will be required sooner than previously expected,” the province said in a media release last summer.
The Site C dam in northern B.C., which B.C. Hydro says is expected to come online later this year, is projected to bring about eight per cent more power to the province’s current supply when fully complete.
Those looking to make a pitch to the province must be located in B.C., and able to connect to B.C. Hydro’s existing system.
First Nations must have at least 25 per cent equity in the project, and Infrastructure Canada will offer loans to First Nations for projects. It is looking specifically to gather clean or renewable energy, such as wind or solar, that is also cost-effective.
B.C. Hydro says reservoir levels are low as the province continues to go through a drought. Kwatuuma Sayers, executive director of Clean Energy B.C., joins Tanya Fletcher in conversation to discuss alternative energy sources the province can look into.
B.C. Hydro says it’s based its call for power on lessons learned in Alberta and Saskatchewan, which are also facing drought conditions.
Bids are due Sept. 16.