Clean Energy Canada | B.C.’s first call for power in 15 years overdelivers, signals strong future for renewables
September 18, 2024

a row of wind turbines lined up on a green field

VICTORIA —Evan Pivnick, Clean Energy Program Manager at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to the news that BC Hydro has received an overwhelming response to its 2024 call for power.

“Growing B.C.’s supply of clean electricity is a critical step in ensuring our competitiveness as an economy and securing the opportunity for households to save money through electrification. B.C.’s call for power—the first in more than 15 years—received proposals for over three times the amount of energy it was looking for, a strong indication that the province can meet growing demand for clean electricity.

“The 21 proposals put forward by independent power producers are just the start of B.C.’s renewables potential. This call was explicitly looking for projects that can start operation as early as 2028, meaning they had to be at a more advanced stage in order to enter. With calls for power expected at least every two years going forward, we can expect a far greater number of projects are yet to be proposed.

“B.C. is also extremely well placed to incorporate more renewables into its energy mix, which will often be the cheapest way of generating electricity. Wind and solar in particular complement our existing hydro resources, allowing the province to prioritize cheap renewable generation whenever it is available, using its hydro-electric resources as batteries to help ensure a reliable flow of electricity during periods of higher demand. 

“Simply put, if our goal is to grow our supply of affordable, clean electricity, maximizing the role of renewable energy will be essential. This is a key step in that direction and a strong statement in favour of B.C.’s ability to meet growing demand.”

KEY FACTS

  • BC Hydro received proposals for three times more energy than it was targeting.
  • Of the proposals received, approximately 70% are wind projects, 20% are solar, and 10% include biomass and hydro.
  • A 2023 study analyzing Alberta and Ontario found that wind can now produce electricity at lower costs than natural-gas-fired power with even more cost reductions on the horizon, while solar is already cheaper than natural gas in Alberta and is on track to be 16% less expensive by the end of the decade. Even when the costs of battery storage are included, both wind and solar are cost-competitive in many scenarios.

RESOURCES

Report | A Renewables Powerhouse

Poll | “British Columbians overwhelmingly support $36B electricity grid expansion, renewables over LNG, and the need for an energy strategy”