Canada's province of British Columbia (BC) could become an importer of hydroelectric power from the US state of Alaska if ongoing studies indicate it feasible.
The Alaska-BC project would develop currently untapped hydroelectric sources to meet the growing needs of the area of South East Alaska, but would provide up to 200MW of export power to BC and make available excess power for export into the 48 States to the south.
The preliminary report, which is expected to be presented to the Alaskan government at the end of the year, involves the development of 10 to 15 previously undeveloped power plants, a transmission line connecting the plants as well as an 129km connecting line along the Iskut river to the power line being extended north by the BC government. The state of Alaska has yet to commit any funds to the project.
The first phase of the project is to evaluate engineering, economic and political factors for development of a transmission interconnecting with BC.