A radical new energy policy unveiled by the government of British Columbia has raised the prospects for significant new hydro development.
Under the terms of the document the Canadian province will require zero net greenhouse gas emissions from all new electricity projects by 2016, when it will also be self-sufficient in generation.
The plans includes proposals for zero greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired generation while renewable generation will account for at least 90% of the total
The government will also support the development of clean energy technology with a C$25M (US$21.25M) fund.
Furthermore, state-owned BC Hydro will be directed to acquire half of its incremental resource needs through conservation by 2020.
The company will also issue a request for proposals for electricity generated by sawmill waste, logging debris and beetle-killed wood and is establishing a standing offer with a set purchase price for power projects up to 10MW.
Announcing the BC Energy Plan: ‘A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership’ provincial energy minister Richard Neufeld indicated that hydro could have a significant role to play in the plan. ‘We will begin second-stage discussion with first nations, Alberta and stakeholders on the advancement of Site C, a third dam on the Peace River,’ said Neufeld. The Site C dam, first proposed in the 1970s, has previously been estimated to cost some C$3.5 billion (US$2.98 billion) to develop.
For more information see http://energyplan.gov.bc.ca